Lead Preschool Teacher PFA Site

Playschool-Daycare; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development assistance

Job summary

Playschool Daycare & Preschool, Inc. in East Portland is seeking a Lead Preschool Teacher for the Preschool for All program.

You will help build a classroom where safety, belonging, and developmentally responsive learning are central, working with families and staff to deliver high-quality preschool experiences. The role focuses on warm relationships, play-based planning, inclusive practices, and collaboration with coaches and partners to meet licensing and program standards.

Qualifications

• Oregon Registry Online Step 7 or higher, or a current Child Development Associate credential, or eligibility for an approved qualification-development/waiver pathway.
• Ability to meet Oregon child care licensing and Central Background Registry requirements.
• Experience working with preschool-age children.
• Ability to complete required CPR/First Aid, food-handler, health and safety trainings.

Responsibilities

• Build warm, responsive relationships with children and families.
• Plan developmentally appropriate preschool experiences through play and daily routines.
• Create an inclusive classroom for children of different abilities, cultures, languages, identities, and learning styles.
• Observe children’s learning and development to guide planning.
• Partner with families around children’s strengths and needs.
• Collaborate with staff to maintain a supportive classroom.
• Participate in coaching, professional development, and meetings.

Job description

Lead Preschool Teacher – Preschool for All

Playschool Daycare & Preschool, Inc. is an established early childhood program in East Portland serving children from infancy through preschool.

We are expanding our preschool programming through Multnomah County Preschool for All and are seeking a Lead Preschool Teacher who wants to help build a classroom where children experience safety, belonging, strong relationships, meaningful play, and developmentally responsive learning.

We are looking for more than someone who can manage a classroom. We are looking for an early childhood educator who enjoys children, values families as partners, understands that behavior is communication, and wants to continue developing professionally.

The Lead Preschool Teacher will work alongside Playschool leadership, classroom staff, Preschool for All partners, coaches, and families to create a high-quality and inclusive preschool experience.

What You’ll Do

• Build warm, responsive relationships with children and families.

• Plan developmentally appropriate preschool experiences through play, exploration, conversation, movement, art, literacy, music, problem-solving, and daily routines.

• Create an inclusive classroom where children with different abilities, cultures, languages, identities, developmental needs, and learning styles can participate meaningfully.

• Use positive guidance, co-regulation, redirection, modeling, environmental supports, and relationship-based practices.

• Observe children’s learning and development and use observations to guide classroom planning.

• Complete required screenings, assessments, documentation, and classroom records.

• Partner with families around children’s strengths, routines, interests, development, and support needs.

• Collaborate with assistant teachers and other staff to maintain a consistent and supportive classroom.

• Participate in PFA coaching, professional development, observations, meetings, and continuous quality improvement.

• Collaborate with inclusion specialists, Every Child Belongs, early intervention/special education partners, health professionals, and other supports when appropriate.

• Maintain Oregon child care licensing, health, safety, supervision, and confidentiality requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates should meet the Preschool for All Lead Teacher qualification requirements applicable to Playschool, including:

• Oregon Registry Online Step 7 or higher, or a current Child Development Associate credential, or eligibility for an approved qualification-development/waiver pathway.

• Ability to meet Oregon child care licensing and Central Background Registry requirements.

• Experience working with preschool-age children.

• Ability to complete required CPR/First Aid, food-handler, health and safety, and other required trainings.

If you are an experienced early childhood educator who is close to the qualification requirement but have not yet reached the required ORO step, we still encourage you to apply.

Compensation

Hourly wage:
$24.86–$33.15, depending on applicable education, ORO step, CDA, experience, and qualifications.

Eligible employees will receive benefits and paid leave according to applicable PFA requirements and Playschool policy.

Compensation is based on classroom assignment, experience, education, credentials, and Oregon Registry qualifications. Positions assigned to a Preschool for All classroom will follow applicable PFA compensation requirements. Private-program positions follow Playschool’s private-agency compensation structure, which may differ from PFA rates.

Benefits and paid-leave eligibility depend on scheduled hours, position, classroom assignment, and applicable program requirements. Eligible PFA-covered positions will receive the benefits required under Playschool’s PFA agreement.

Playschool Daycare & Preschool, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance

• Health insurance

• Paid time off

• Professional development assistance