A Preschool or Childcare Teacher works with young children, usually ages 3 - 5, to help them learn the social, motor and language skills needed to be ready for kindergarten and elementary school. Organizes activities and uses play or games to help children learn; develops schedules and routines for children that include exercise and rest. Works in a school or in a childcare center or program.
Yakima, WA Job Details Full-time $23.78 - $27.35 an hour 11 hours ago Benefits 403(b) matching Paid holidays Dental insurance Employee assistance program Vision insurance 403(b) Loan forgiveness Life insurance Childcare Qualifications School experience Computer operation CPR Certification Teacher training Teacher mentoring for professional development Driver's License Professional development support First Aid Certification Teacher coaching Team training Classroom experience Computer skills Teaching experience with young children Associate's degree Classroom Teaching Food Handler Certification Working with youth Parent-teacher conferences (communication methods) First aid and CPR Full Job Description The Team Leader is responsible for teaching a preschool classroom and will provide day-to-day oversight to one Family Service Teacher and other classroom staff. The person will ensure that the classroom provides an educational environment that is developmentally and linguistically appropriate and accommodates children's individual rates of development as well as individual interests, temperaments, cultural backgrounds, and learning styles. The person will ensure that the team's work is done in accordance with the service delivery plan, ECEAP Performance Standards, USDA requirements, state licensing requirements and agency policies and procedures.
Job Responsibilities:
Provide instructional leadership to support school readiness by implementing developmentally appropriate early childhood education practices that promote children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Teach in assigned classroom everyday. Build and maintain positive, trusting, and engaging relationships with children to support individual learning and development. Create and sustain a nurturing, academically rich, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment. Design and implement effective lesson plans aligned with early learning standards and best instructional practices. Use formative and summative assessments to monitor child progress and guide instructional planning. Engage families in school readiness activities and maintain ongoing communication to support positive child outcomes. Collaborate with parents, school districts, and community partners to support smooth and successful kindergarten transitions. Participate in coaching, professional learning communities, and reflective practice to improve instructional effectiveness. Plan, implement, document, and individualize instruction and services in accordance with ECEAP Performance Standards and agency policies. Conduct child observations, developmental screenings, and maintain accurate and timely documentation, including assessments, reports, and required records. Coordinate and participate in parent-teacher conferences, home visits, and family engagement activities in collaboration with the Family Service Teacher Support intervention planning and cross-disciplinary coordination for children and families, including IEP-related activities when applicable. Implement policies and procedures related to child guidance, mandated reporting (CA/N), training requirements, and active supervision practices. Maintain a safe, healthy, and sanitary classroom environment with constant supervision of children; respond appropriately to emergencies and provide first aid/CPR as needed. Uphold agency core values by demonstrating professionalism, accountability, and compliance with program standards, including reporting concerns through appropriate channels. Actively participate in center family nights, parent meetings, staff meetings, professional development, and other center-wide activities.
Working Conditions/Physical/ Mental Abilities and Processes:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Work requires daily standing, sitting, walking, stooping, kneeling, lifting, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling, speaking, hearing, seeing and the ability to articulate clearly; use of hands to finger, bending and reaching. Ability to feel or operate objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms. Ability to work with personal computer for long periods of time. Some travel to and from main office and training sites
Benefits:
Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans Sick Leave (5 hours per payroll) Paid Holidays (9) EPIC Scholarship Available Employee Assistance Program Basic Life Insurance 403 B (Employer match after 1 year or 1,000 hours) As an employee of an Early Learning Non-Profit organization, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness and childcare subsidy benefits. Additional information will be provided upon hire.
Conditions of Employment:
Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen, Tb skin test by an EPIC approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee. Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within (30) days of employment and no cost to the employee). Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) in Merit. Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella. Current Food Handlers card. Current First Aid/CPR card. Prior to the first day, complete Health & Safety training certificates through DCYF student training portal. Complete Childcare Basics 30 hours STARS training within 3 months of hire Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards. Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training. CEO Approval. Please note that this position is for the 2026/2027 program year, starting on August 24, 2026. Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education or Development, or in a related field.• Demonstrated work experience of at least two (2) years, with lead teaching experience in a preschool setting. Documental work experience in the training and mentoring of classroom staff. Childcare Basics 30 hours STARS training. Valid Washington State Driver's License & Auto insurance Demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills, ability to work very closely with other Team members, and ability to grasp a team-centered approach to delivery of services for children and families. Candidates who do not meet the minimum education requirement would need to hold a current Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) or equivalent Preschool certificate, enroll in a higher education institution towards an AA in ECE, be on a Professional Development Plan with a confirmed deadline.
