Job Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Whatcom Family YMCA - Bellingham, WA 98225Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $20.53 - $22.50 HourlyPreschool Lead Teacher
Whatcom Family Y | Where Play Meets Purpose
Do you believe learning should be messy, joyful, curious, and full of adventure?
Do you love the idea of spending your day building forts, leading dance parties, exploring big feelings, and helping kids discover who they are?
The Whatcom Family Y’s Millworks Early Learning Center is looking for a Lead Preschool Teacher who’s ready to create an engaging, play-based classroom where children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn.
If you’re passionate about early childhood education and want to work somewhere that truly values community, creativity, and connection, we’d love to meet you.
What Your Days Might Look Like
No two days are the same—but they’re always full of energy, laughter, and discovery.
You might be:
🎨 Leading a messy art project or sensory exploration
📚 Reading stories and sparking big imagination moments
🏃‍♀️ Running obstacle courses or climbing adventures
🧠 Helping children navigate big emotions and build friendships
🌱 Encouraging curiosity through play-based learning
💬 Partnering with families to celebrate each child’s growth
At the Y, we believe play is powerful and preschool is where confidence begins.
What You’ll Do
As the Lead Preschool Teacher, you’ll guide the classroom experience and support a team of educators while helping kids thrive.
Your role will include:
Creating a fun, play-based preschool environment that supports social-emotional development
Leading and mentoring Assistant Teachers
Designing daily schedules that balance learning, movement, creativity, meals, rest, and exploration
Creating opportunities for kids to make choices, solve problems, and lead activities
Encouraging teamwork, kindness, and curiosity
Helping maintain a classroom environment aligned with ECERS quality standards
Supporting children’s growth through documentation and developmental observations
Communicating with families about their child’s progress and experiences
Joining family nights, staff trainings, and community events
Keeping the classroom safe, organized, and sparkling clean
Supporting YMCA policies that ensure child safety and protection
Bonus: You’ll also get to jump into big movement activities with kids like intro swimming and beginner rock climbing
Why Educators Love Working at the Y
Working at the YMCA means your work matters—every single day.
Here you’ll find:
A mission-driven workplace that supports children and families
Opportunities to grow your early childhood career
Supportive teammates who love what they do
A community that values inclusion, belonging, and equity
The chance to make a real impact during the most important years of development
Our Commitment to Equity
Everything we do at the YMCA is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We are committed to:
Eliminating barriers to access
Supporting working families
Improving community health and education
Empowering the next generation of changemakers
We welcome team members from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences who share our mission and values.
The Impact You’ll Make
The work you do today will shape confidence, friendships, and curiosity that last a lifetime.
You’ll help children:
Learn how to be kind friends
Build confidence in their abilities
Explore the world through play
Feel safe, valued, and celebrated
And that’s powerful.
Ready to inspire the next generation of learners?
Join the Whatcom Family Y and help create a childhood full of wonder.
QualificationsWhat We’re Looking For
You might be a great fit if you:
✔ Are 18+ with a high school diploma or equivalent
✔ Love working with preschool-aged children✔ Have experience working in an Early Learning Center✔ Can plan fun, developmentally appropriate activities
✔ Are excited about play-based learning
✔ Build positive relationships with children and families
✔ Enjoy being active, creative, and collaborative
✔ Have experience working with diverse communities
Bonus if you have:
Early childhood education experience
CPR/First Aid certification
Early childhood coursework or certifications
Training & Certifications (required within specified timelines):
Praesidium Child Abuse Prevention Training (upon hire)
CPR/AED and First Aid certification (Adult, Infant & Child) (within 2 months of being hired)
STARS 30-Hour Childcare Basic Training (within 3 months of hire)
Must be able to obtain ECE Short Certificate or equivalent (approx. 20 credits)
Additional Requirements
Negative TB test
HIV/Bloodborne Pathogens training
Safe Sleep training
MERIT ID account
Washington State Food Handler’s Card
Cleared Portable Background Check from MERIT
MMR Immunization Record
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee needs sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to safely supervise program activities.
The employee frequently is required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.