The Lead Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing an inclusive, comprehensive curriculum that meets ECEAP performance standards while supporting the developmental needs of children. They also lead the classroom team, maintain confidential records, and collaborate with families and interdisciplinary staff to ensure student success.
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Wellness/EAP, Retirement Plan + Match, Professional Development Enjoy a school-year based schedule with built-in alignment to all major holidays and vacation breaks—perfect for work-life balance! Do Work That Matters (and Have Fun Doing It) Our classrooms are full of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, with educators working side-by-side with speech, occupational, and mental health therapists to support each child as a whole person.
If you love the idea of: Helping children of all abilities learn, grow, and shine Working on a team that truly collaborates and supports one another Being part of a program that helps kids thrive in kindergarten and beyond …you might feel right at home here.
SCOPE: The Lead Teacher promotes an inclusive classroom environment, working with diverse student populations, plans and implements the educational program in accordance with Encompass and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) Performance Standards. This position will lead a classroom team and coordinate with other program and organization staff to provide support for each child in their classroom and their family.
Essential
DUTIES
AND
Responsibilities
Planning/Preparation:
Planning: Plans and develops a daily schedule of classroom routines and activities; prepares and implements lesson plans in accordance with the ECEAP performance standards and program service plans; provides an integrated, comprehensive curriculum and multicultural environment which meets the needs of every child, including those with disabilities.
Record
Keeping: Completes written observations of individual children throughout the year; develops a learning plan for each child within 90 days of school entry; maintains complete confidential records on each child.
Professional
Development: Gains knowledge and skills by participating in in-service trainings, staff meetings, and other opportunities including 10 hours of MERIT approved training throughout the year.
In
Class:
Educating: Implements lesson plans in accordance with the ECEAP performance standards and program service plans; provides an integrated, comprehensive curriculum and multicultural environment, which meets the needs of every child.
Guidance
Interacts positively with all children to support their individual learning and meets their emotional needs.
Family-Style
Meal
Service: Assists with serving of snacks and meals; participates in and facilitates mealtime service and conversation.
Screenings
Administers standardized screening tools on every child within 90 days of school entry; re-screens and refers as necessary.
Health
Supervision: Teaches and oversees health habits in the classroom, i.e. hand washing, tooth brushing, etc.; administers first aid as needed. Checks indoor and outdoor environment for safety hazards. Works in collaboration with Mental Health Professional as needed.
Supervision
Supervises and trains teaching assistants and volunteers; assists with training of family/community volunteers to assist in the classroom.
Families
Educational
Planning
Meetings: Conducts three hours of educational planning meetings annually with each ECEAP child’s family. Meets with non-ECEAP families twice each school year to involve the parents in the educational planning.
Communication/Family
Support: Communicates regularly and respectfully with families and involves them in the educational program; encourages and supports families in working toward goals they have set for themselves.
Family
Events: Collaborates with preschool team in planning and facilitating family events/meetings.
Interdisciplinary
Staffings: Participates in interdisciplinary planning for children and families’ including staffings, multidisciplinary teams, individual education plans and other cross-component coordination efforts.
Transitions
Works with families and preschool team to ensure smooth transitions to before-and after-school care and between Encompass and Kindergarten.
Performs other duties as assigned
QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS
Required: Bachelor’s degree in the field of early childhood education or child development and one year of successful work experience with adults/parents and young children OR Associates degree in the same and two years successful work experience in a preschool, childcare or kindergarten setting OR Valid Washington State Elementary Teaching Certificate with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education or Special Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. *Qualifications for
Provisional
Hire: Complete a Professional Development Plan Form and complete a requirement from the above list within 5 years. Proven, strong leadership and communication skills Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for preschool children. Demonstrate a desire to identify, gain knowledge in and awareness of individual experiences and societal impacts of oppression and trauma that impact families and children. Ability to communicate effectively and relate positively to students, parents, staff and volunteers in a diverse environment. Ability to adjust to varied situations, demands and new instructional concepts. Ability to perform basic clerical tasks such as record keeping, filing, typing, copying, etc. Ability to attend occasional evening meetings and to occasionally visit parents in their homes. Ability to supervise students on regularly scheduled field trips. Ability to motivate team, delegate responsibility, respond to feedback.
Certification
AND
Licenses
Required prior to start date: DCYF Portable Background Check Be Registered in Merit with a Star’s ID # Food and Beverage Handler’s
Permit
TB screening
MMR
Vaccine
Required within 30 days of hire: First aid and CPR card Blood Borne Pathogens Teaching Strategies Gold Inter-rater reliability certification PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions. Persons performing service in this position classification will exert 10 to 20 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This type of work involves sitting, walking or standing, and may involve some running. Perceiving the nature of sound, near and far visual acuity, depth perception, providing oral information, the manual dexterity to operate business related equipment, and handle and work with various materials and objects are important aspects of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job. Why Encompass? Because here, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a mission.
Requirements
Candidates must hold at least an Associate degree in early childhood education or child development with relevant experience, or a valid Washington State Elementary Teaching Certificate with an Early Childhood endorsement. Applicants are also required to pass a background check and obtain specific certifications such as First Aid, CPR, and a Food Handler's permit.
associate degree
bachelor degree
professional certificate
Communication
Leadership
CPR
Record keeping
First aid
Team collaboration
Lesson planning
Child development
Family engagement
Classroom management
Early childhood education
Curriculum implementation
Inclusive education
Safety supervision
Screening tools
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
Retirement plan
Paid time off
Employee assistance program
Professional development
Wellness program
Retirement match
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
0-2 yrs
Salary
$42,100 - $55,968/yr
Location
North Bend, Washington
Posted
Aug 13, 2026
Application
Employer website
You’ll be part of a team that: Values relationships and collaboration Invests in your professional growth Celebrates the joy, messiness, and magic of early childhood And most importantly—you’ll help shape the future, one child at a time. Make a Difference Every Day Encompass is a private nonprofit serving the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah communities for over 50 years. Our mission is to partner with families to build healthy foundations for children. We believe what happens early in life matters. We offer high quality, leading edge early childhood education, therapeutic services, and family enrichment programs for children ages 0-12 and their families. The information in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees in this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job. Encompass is a private nonprofit serving the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah communities for over 50 years. Our mission is to partner with families to build healthy foundations for children. We believe what happens early in life matters. We offer high quality, leading edge early childhood educational and therapeutic services to all children in our communities. Encompass is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on gender, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or the presence of a non job related medical condition or handicap.
Market context
Washington classroom teacher market context
In Washington, classroom teacher roles are often competitive because schools and early learning programs look for candidates who meet state requirements and bring prior licensed daycare or teacher assistant experience. This posting’s requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review fit and compensation details faster. If you’re applying, confirm your state preschool teacher assistant eligibility and highlight any classroom support experience on your resume.
