Early Childhood Educator (FT)

Scott-Family-Amazeum; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Scott Family Amazeum is hiring an Early Learning Educator in Bentonville, AR. You will create welcoming, play-based experiences for children aged 0–6 and their caregivers, leading programs, and partnering with the Early Learning Team to strengthen learning opportunities.

You will facilitate play, engage guests with curiosity, and ensure safe, inclusive spaces. A high school diploma is required, with preferred related associate studies and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in educational or care settings.
• Excellent guest engagement and customer service.
• Ability to balance priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Comfort working with diverse families and backgrounds.
• Eligibility to work in the United States as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead play-based experiences for children ages 0–6 and caregivers.
• Facilitate early learning programs, events, and community offerings.
• Collaborate with the Early Learning Team to improve programs and exhibits.
• Maintain safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environments.
• Engage guests to foster curiosity, learning, and meaningful interactions.

Skills

Guest engagement

Play facilitation

Questioning

Adaptability

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (preferred)

Job description

Position Title: Early Learning EducatorReports to: Sr. Manager, Early Learning InitiativesClassificationType: Hourly, full-time, non-exemptSchedule: Full-time, up to 40 hours per week. Schedule varies and includes weekdays, weekends, evenings and some holidays. Minimum hourly rate: $17Scott Family Amazeum OverviewThe Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum in Northwest Arkansas and recognized as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We create a fun environment where risk taking, imagining, problem solving, discovery, collaboration, and exploration bring children and adults together to learn and grow.Core Purpose: The Amazeum exists to spark and nurture the curious and creative spirit in all of us.Through experiences with the Amazeum, individuals and the community are engaged in building relationships and developing identities as creative, curious, and innovative shapers for the region. Learning at the Amazeum is an active, playful exploration that inspires curiosity. It is rooted in inquiry-based discovery and involves an element of risk. The Education Department of the Amazeum is looking for team members who are enthusiastic about promoting Creativity, Curiosity, and Community.The Amazeum facility includes approximately 50,000 square feet of indoor space and one acre of outdoor exhibition and activity space. Opening in fall 2026, the Hangout will feature interactive nature exhibits, spaces available to the community and the Early Learning Advancement Center (ELAC). The museum is located at the intersection of Museum Way and J Street in Bentonville, ARPosition SummaryThe Early Learning Educator creates welcoming, play-based experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and joyful exploration for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers. Through engaging facilitation in early learning environments, programs, and community experiences, this role nurtures meaningful interactions that support child development and strengthen caregiver-child learning. The Early Learning Educator leads play experiences, provides exceptional guest engagement, maintains safe and inviting learning environments, and collaborates with the Early Learning Team to continuously improve early learning experiences through observation, reflection, feedback, and program development.Essential FunctionsGuest Engagement & FacilitationConsistently initiates and deepens meaningful, play-based interactions for early learners and their caregivers.Uses play-based facilitation, open-ended questions, and active engagement to help children and caregivers make meaningful connections to child development through play.Adapts facilitation strategies in real time to meet the diverse developmental needs, abilities, interests, and learning styles of young children and families.Creates welcoming, inclusive environments where every child and caregiver feels supported, empowered, and inspired to learn together. Facilitates early learning programs, member experiences, community events, school visits, and occasional offsite programming with professionalism and adaptability.Supports Early Learning Programs Coordinator with designing , testing and refining -innovative early learning programming such as drop-in programs, family workshops, week-long camps, daily experiences, and private workshops for community partners.Supports Early Learning Engagement Coordinator with designing, testing and refining exhibit experiences that expand and enrich the guest experienceCollaborates with Early Learning leadership to capture, prepare, and intentionally share evidence of learning and impact with guests and the Amazeum team.Environment & Safety OwnershipEnsures early learning environments remain welcoming, organized, clean, and consistently \"play-ready\" by proactively resetting materials and maintaining inviting spaces.Maintains and organizes supplies and materials needed to support high-quality early learning experiences.Ensures guest safety through active supervision, clear expectations, and timely intervention while encouraging age-appropriate risk-taking through play.Identifies, communicates, and responds promptly to maintenance and safety concerns using established protocols.Invites children and caregivers to participate in caring for materials and learning environments, fostering shared ownership and respect for community spaces.Continuous Learning MindsetActively participates in training, coaching, and professional learning focused on early childhood development, play facilitation, and guest engagement.Seeks new strategies and best practices to strengthen facilitation and improve the guest experience.Reflects on observations and guest interactions to continuously improve learning experiences.Shares insights and ideas that contribute to the growth of early learning programming and team practice.Professionalism & Amazeum CultureCommunicates clearly, respectfully, and proactively with guests, caregivers, team members, and community partners.Demonstrates accountability, ownership, collaboration, and trust in daily work.Models curiosity, creativity, playfulness, and a commitment to lifelong learning.Maintains a warm, engaging, and professional presence that creates a sense of belonging for all guests.Balances flexibility, initiative, and responsibility in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.Represents the Amazeum's mission, educational approach, and guiding principles in every interaction.General DutiesThe responsibilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The Amazeum reserves the right to revise or change position duties and responsibilities as necessary to accommodate changing organizational needs.Minimum Requirements:High school diploma or equivalent1+ year experience working with children in paid, volunteer, educational, childcare, camp, community or similar setting (Ex: babysitting/childcare, church group, etc.)Basic knowledge of child developmental stagesDemonstrated success in guest engagement/customer serviceStrong verbal communication skills with emphasis on interacting with diverse early childhood audiencesAbility to balance shifting priorities in a dynamic, fast paced, and ever-changing environment while maintaining a positive guest experience.All applicants must be able to:Provide the necessary documentation to prove that you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a foreign national with authorization to work in the United StatesComplete and pass a background checkPhysical Requirements:Ability to remain active for extended periods, throughout a scheduled shift, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and moving quickly throughout exhibit spaces.Ability to actively engage with children and families at floor level, including sitting, kneeling, and transitioning between positions frequently.Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and around water features, sensory materials, art supplies, and other hands-on learning materials.Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionallyAbility to reach overhead and below waist level to set up, reset, and maintain exhibits and materialsAbility to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment with frequent movement and constant interactionAbility to work in environments with moderate to high noise levels and visual stimulationAbility to communicate clearly and effectively while interacting with children, caregivers, team members and groups in environments with moderate to high noise levels, with or without reasonable accommodation.Preferred Qualifications:Working towards current certificate (ex: CDA) or an Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Play Therapy, Family and Child Studies, or related fieldBilingual skillsBasic knowledge of play-based facilitationAbility to demonstrate curiosity and passion for learningComfortable being silly and playful while also being respectful in speech, actions, and demeanor.Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team environmentHow to applySubmit your completed Amazeum application, your resume and cover letter, via the Amazeum Career Portal.