Assistant Teacher

Where

Tender Leaves Outdoor Preschool operates in partnership with Kitsap County Parks at Salsbury Point Park in Poulsbo, Washington. We are proud to be the only fully licensed outdoor nature-based preschool in Kitsap County.

When

This position is for the 2026–2027 school year, running Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (35 hours per week). The schedule closely aligns with the North Kitsap School District academic calendar from late August 2026 through mid-June 2027.

Pay & Benefits

• Hourly Wage: $25.00 per hour.

• Elite 1:4 Staffing Ratio: Work in an intimate outdoor environment with a low staff-to-student ratio to ensure top-tier child safety and highly individualized learning.

• Paid Time Off: 6 paid sick days per school year. To reward dependability, any unused sick days at the end of the school year can be cashed out!

• 100% Paid College Tuition: Because we are a licensed program participating in Early Achievers, you qualify for state-funded grants that fully cover college tuition and fees (up to 97 credits), plus up to $1,000 per year for textbooks. This allows you to earn your Associate of Arts (AA) degree or stackable certificates in Early Childhood Education (ECE) completely debt-free while you work.

Description

This role is structured as a paid professional incubator designed for an aspiring educator who wants to work alongside a certificated lead teacher, master nature-based pedagogy, learn hands-on behavior management, and grow within our expanding company.

From Monday through Thursday, you will teach side-by-side with our Director (a certificated Lead Teacher), receiving daily clinical mentorship in child development and emergent lesson planning. On Fridays, you will step into the Lead Teacher role, directing the daily schedule and implementing lesson plans designed by the Director or developed by you on occasion.

In this role, you will help us blend child-led nature play with structured, evidence-based learning. We utilize the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) Pre-K phonics program and the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum, all set against the backdrop of state Early Learning Standards. Our educators practice the "Warm Demander" approach—greeting children with immense joy and emotional validation while maintaining firm safety boundaries, high standards, and coaching them through productive struggles.

Daily responsibilities include assisting with morning safety hazard sweeps of Salsbury Point Park, maintaining active line-of-sight supervision near trails and beach shorelines, communicating with children at eye level, documenting daily activities on the Brightwheel app, and guiding children through routine outdoor hygiene.

Requirements

To comply with Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing guidelines (WAC 110-302) for licensed Outdoor Nature-Based child care, all applicants must meet the following criteria before their start date :

• Be at least 18 years of age with a High School Diploma or equivalent.

• Have a cleared WA State portable background check with fingerprinting.

• Have a negative Tuberculosis (TB) test.

• Hold valid Pediatric CPR/First Aid certifications and a WA State Food Handler's permit.

• Be registered in the DCYF MERIT professional database.

• Complete the free "Outdoor Nature-Based Child Care Basics" online training course via dcyftraining.com (can be completed upon hire).

• Be willing to enroll in a state-funded ECE certificate or AA degree program.

• Be comfortable working outdoors in all Pacific Northwest weather conditions (rain, wind, snow, and sun) while carrying a safety backpack.

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