Lead Early Education Teacher

Seattle YMCA; Auburn (WA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership for you & household

Health, dental, vision, lifeInsurance

Retirement with employer contributions

Mental health resources access

Immediate PTO accrual

Childcare program discounts: 25% part‑

Childcare program discounts: 50% full‑

Job summary

Seattle YMCA Auburn location seeks Early Education professionals dedicated to high-quality childcare and family engagement. You will contribute to a nurturing, child-centered environment, planning activities and guiding staff to support children’s growth.

You will work in a supportive team with strong leadership and ample resources, while adhering to program standards, training requirements, and safety policies to ensure every child reaches their fullest potential.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.
• Experience working with children in similar age group.
• Completion of STARS required training.
• High school diploma or equivalent and 12 ECE credits within five years of hire.
• Knowledge of culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Ability to speak additional languages is a plus.
• Background check cleared in MERIT.
• Pre-employment TB tests and MMR vaccination required; Concentra available at no cost.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities within the YMCA curriculum.
• Direct program to fit needs of all children, including interests and learning styles.
• Supervise a group of children ensuring health and safety and positive experiences.
• Participate in coaching and feedback with Early Achievers and YMCA quality groups.
• Provide guidance to staff/volunteers overseeing activities and observations.
• Communicate with parents via newsletters, updates, and conferences.
• Follow YMCA policies on medical, disciplinary, abuse prevention, and emergencies.
• May fill in for the Program Supervisor during short absences.
• Maintain a developmentally appropriate classroom and keep site clean.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings.

Skills

Age 18+

MERIT background check

TB tests & MMR vaccination

STARS training

Diversity & inclusion awareness

Education

HS diploma or equivalent + 12 ECE credits

STARS-required training

Job description

Overview

Our Commitment to Equity
The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

We are seeking Early Education professionals who are passionate and dedicated to providing children and their families with an excellent educational experience. This opportunity is fantastic for somebody who is eager to grow in an environment that values your contributions and communication skills. You will work in a supportive and caring environment with a responsive leadership team and phenomenal resources and materials.

Every day, hundreds of children are welcomed into our fun and engaging YMCA early learning childcare programs. Be part of an amazing team of staff who provide a learning environment for children in which they feel secure, comfortable, and important. You will be a part of providing a nurturing child-centered environment through enrichment and activities while also supporting the children as they grow and learn. Childcare is more than a safe place; it is a place where our team strives to create an environment that allows children to reach their fullest potential. You will be responsible for the development of activities and all classroom plans, while also providing support and guidance to staff or volunteers overseeing activities and children.

Position Type/Location

We are looking to hire full-time staff at our Auburn location. Shifts will be within our operating hours of Monday - Friday 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

What you'll get from working at The Y

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Retirement with generous employer contributions
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire
• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp and outdoor leadership programs. 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff

Hiring Range:

$24.00-28.50/hr DOE

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate activities within the curriculum in accordance with the Youth Development goals of the YMCA. Ultimately responsible for the quality and completion of all classroom plans, including lesson, behavior, and event plans.
• Directs program to fit the needs of all children enrolled to include their interests, behavior accommodations, and individual style of learning.
• Supervises a group of children to ensure their health and safety and to provide for a positive experience for each child.
• Participate in a coaching and feedback process with Early Achievers and YMCA program quality groups.
• Provides guidance to staff/volunteers overseeing the activities and observations of groups of children.
• Professionally communicates and maintains daily reports, confidential and evaluative information with parents/guardians, including newsletters, individual parent communication, and parent/teacher conferences.
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergency procedures.
• May fill in for the Program Supervisor during short-term absences.
• Maintains a developmentally appropriate classroom, including appearance, décor, and cleanliness of site.
• Attends staff meetings and trainings as required.

Code of Conduct for Applicants

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.

Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.

Qualifications

• 18 years of age or older.
• Experience in working with children the same age as those to be supervised.
• Completion of minimum STARS-required training.*
• High school diploma or equivalent AND 12 Early Childhood Education credits completed or expected to complete within five years of the hire date.
• Knowledge of culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate practices.
• Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
• Cleared Portable Background Check in the statewide registry, MERIT.**
• We require pre-employment TB tests and MMR vaccination. To make this process convenient for our new hires, we offer Concentra options at no cost to you.

*At hire, or earliest possible training (but no later than 60 days after employment).

**At hire, or during onboarding for position.

You’ll be a great fit for the Seattle Y if you:

• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment
• Are very adaptable
• Have high ownership and strong work ethic
• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet
• Truly enjoy being of service to people
• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together
• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all

MISSION STATEMENT

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

OUR VALUES

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.