Seedlings Playschool is seeking a warm, grounded Preschool Teacher to join our Reggio-inspired, play-based, emergent curriculum program in Northeast Portland.
At Seedlings, we believe childhood is a time to be cherished, not rushed. We honor young children as whole people — capable, curious, creative, and worthy of deep respect. Our days are full of wonder: messy art, muddy boots, deep play, big emotions, and real relationships. We spend lots of time outdoors, embrace process over product, and trust children to lead their own learning.
At a glance
- Pay: $20–$25/hour
- Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours/week
- Age group: 2-5 year old, mixed-age classroom
- Location: 5717 NE Sumner St, Portland, OR
- Benefits: health insurance, matching 401(k), paid time off, paid holidays, planning time, paid training & professional development support
- Paid breaks/closures: >30 days of paid holidays per year, in total
The role
You’ll spend your days:
- Creating a nurturing environment: Maintain a safe, inviting, well-prepared space that supports exploration indoors and outdoors.
- Supporting child-led learning: Observe children closely and extend their interests through an emergent curriculum approach.
- Honoring play as serious learning: Provide rich opportunities for messy, noisy, joyful play and meaningful work.
- Supporting emotional development: Co-regulate with patience and empathy; help children practice problem-solving, boundaries, and community care (instead of adult-imposed solutions).
- Collaborating with families and teammates: Communicate clearly and respectfully to support a strong classroom community.
- Engaging in reflective practice: Participate in training, professional development, and ongoing growth alongside our team.
What it’s like to work here
At Seedlings, we offer:
- Great ratios and a supportive, collaborative team
- A warm community that values relationships and professionalism
- Paid training and planning time and professional development support
- Competitive pay with opportunities for growth
- Matching 401(k)
- Healthcare benefits for full-time employees
- Paid holiday breaks (over 30 days per year, total)
Who we’re hoping to meet
We’re looking for a teacher who shares our heart and vision — someone who:
- Truly sees and honors each child as an individual
- Values connection over control
- Finds joy in messy, active play and outdoor days
- Is patient, grounded, playful, and collaborative
- Enjoys observing children’s interests and extending learning through materials and experiences
- Wants to grow with a small team and contribute to an environment built on trust and respect
Requirements
- Experience working with toddlers and/or preschool-aged children (2–5 years)
- Alignment with Reggio-inspired, play-based, or emergent curriculum approaches
(If you’re newer to Reggio specifically but deeply aligned with play-based/emergent practice, we still encourage you to apply.)
- CPR/First Aid and required safety set trainings (or willingness to obtain)
- Ability to complete Oregon CBR background check
We can’t wait to meet you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00–$25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- What does it look like when you're having a hard time at work — and how do you handle it? What has made you leave jobs in the past?
- Describe a time when two children in your classroom had a conflict with one another. What did you do? What happened?
- Describe your dream school. (Philosophy? Practices? Team? Size? Ages? Vibes? Anything else?) What does a perfect day look like for you, in that school?
Work Location: In person
