Experienced Early Childhood Professional – Leadership Potential

Job Overview

Flathead Childcare is looking for a highly experienced early childhood professional who loves working with children and is interested in growing into a leadership role within our program.

Our ideal candidate may have previously owned or operated a licensed childcare program, worked as a Director or Assistant Director, or spent several years as a strong Lead Teacher. If you have ever considered running your own childcare, or have done it and would rather focus on the children and program without carrying the business side, this may be a great fit.

Location:

We operate three small childcare locations in Evergreen/Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish. We are looking for the right person first and will determine their primary location based on strengths and fit.

Responsibilities

• Provide warm, attentive, and developmentally appropriate care.
• Confidently manage a group of young children and daily classroom routines.
• Maintain active supervision and high standards for safety.
• Create meaningful learning experiences based on children's interests.
• Use positive guidance and support children's social-emotional development.
• Maintain a clean, organized, inviting environment.
• Communicate warmly and professionally with families.
• Take initiative and recognize what needs to be done without waiting for direction.
• Work collaboratively with other teachers and help model strong childcare practices.
• Spend significant time outdoors and actively engage in children's play and exploration.

Our program is play-based, nature-based, screen-free, and Reggio Emilia-inspired. We believe young children learn through play, movement, relationships, exploration, and meaningful experiences, not by expecting them to sit still for formal lessons.

Experience & Qualifications

• Significant professional experience in licensed childcare or preschool is required.
• We are especially interested in candidates with Director, Assistant Director, childcare ownership, or strong Lead Teacher experience.
• A degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a related field is valued, but a degree alone does not replace hands-on childcare experience for this position.
• Current approval on the Montana Early Childhood Project (ECP) Registry is strongly preferred. Applicants must also be able to meet all childcare licensing, background check, training, First Aid, and CPR requirements.
• Strong professional childcare references will be required.

Leadership Potential & Hiring Process

This position has the potential to grow into site-level leadership, with leadership positions paying up to $23/hour as higher-level responsibilities are demonstrated and assumed.

Because we are looking for someone who may eventually help lead one of our locations, our hiring process is intentionally thorough. Selected candidates will participate in interviews, provide professional references, and shadow at each of our three locations before a final decision.

This gives you the opportunity to meet our teams and experience each program while helping us determine where your personality, strengths, and experience would be the best fit.

When applying, please tell us about your professional childcare experience, any leadership or ownership experience, and why you believe you would be a strong fit for this position.

Pay: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 35.0 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Professional development assistance

Experience:

• Child care : 2 years (Required)
• Management: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Kalispell, MT 59901 (Required)

Work Location: In person