Launch·Seattle, Washington
The Preschool Lead Teacher is responsible for planning and leading developmentally appropriate classroom activities to ensure kindergarten readiness. They must also maintain a safe, clean environment, manage student behavior, and communicate effectively with parents and stakeholders.
Description Overview Launch is dedicated to ensuring a brilliant start for all children.
Through our preschool, after school and summer programs, we provide equitable access to the highest-quality learning and care in a safe, enriching environment that prepares children for success in school and life.
Our programs serve a diverse group of over 1300 children ages 3-12 and are located on-site in 9 Seattle public schools and 3 community centers.
Drawing on more than 40 years of experience, we serve as a proven model of effective programming and a passionate advocate for children, families and communities.
Launch strives to live an anti-racist, inclusive existence, and welcomes diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives.
The Preschool Lead Teacher 1 or 2 is responsible for providing a safe, caring and academically and socially enriching environment for preschool children. This position ensures that all activities are developmentally appropriate, consistent with curriculum guidelines, and meet all identified academic and developmental domains.
Essential Job Functions In partnership with other Preschool Lead Teachers, plan and lead all activities in a classroom, with a focus on providing quality kindergarten readiness preparedness programs for children 3-5 years or age.
Plan, prepare, implement and clean-up activities and projects using the HighScope program outline.
Enter weekly observations and complete quarterly assessments in TSG.
Provide positive behavior guidance.
Behavior is a way for children to communicate, ask yourself why them might be having a certain way.
Be specific about what you want children to do, rather than what you do not want them to do.
Demonstrate ability to adapt to changes and modifications as recommended by coaches, leadership, and changing trends in early childhood education.
Maintain center appearance and cleanliness, including post activity clean up.
Serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks in accordance with Department of Health Food Safety standards and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Communicate frequently with parents, site leadership, and other key stakeholders about classroom activities, observations and identified progress, etc.
Prepare and schedule parent/teacher conferences.
Complete required reports/assessments including observations, attendance (DATTs), health screenings, developmental screenings, etc.
Use daily planning time to prepare developmentally appropriate activities for students.
Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings.
Complete Kindergarten transition forms and support Kindergarten Readiness programs.
Attend and complete all required trainings including State and Registry Service workshops.
Enforce all general safety rules of the center.
Apply first aid, perform CPR, complete incident reports, and practice other health and safety or life-saving procedures as needed.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience & Training Equivalent An Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Youth Development, Child Development or related field, which can include Youth Recreation/Development, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Psychology, Social Work with an emphasis on Human Development or other degrees as appropriate OR An Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited college and verified in MERIT and 20 or more credits in ECE verified through Merit. Up to 10 credits may be classified as ECE-School age hybrid (E/S) credits. Minimum three (3) years of experience working with preschool children (3-5 years old), including experience in behavior management and age-appropriate activity planning. AND 30 or more approved quarter credits in ECE, verified through MERIT. Up to 10 credits may be classified as ECE-School Age hybrid (“E/S”) credits. Minimum three (3) years of experience working with preschool children (3-5 years old), including experience in behavior management and age-appropriate activity planning.
Condition of Employment – Pre-hire Ability to obtain and maintain criminal record clearance TB Clearance Food Worker Card First Aid/CPR Blood Borne Pathogens/HIV training Mandated Reported Training MMR Vaccination Record Must attend any required training
Condition of Employment – After Hire Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families Trainings: Medication Management Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Families Experiencing Homelessness Abusive Head Trauma Within 1 Month of Hire Completion of STARS Basic 30 hour Child Care course Within 6 Months of Hire Teaching Strategies Gold Interrater Reliability (IRR) certification
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.