Early Learning Educator

SCOTT FAMILY AMAZEUM•Bentonville, AR

18h•$17 - $17•Onsite

About The Position

The Early Learning Educator creates welcoming, play-based experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and joyful exploration for children ages 0–6 and their caregivers. Through facilitation in early learning environments, programs, and community experiences, the Educator nurtures meaningful interactions that support child development and strengthen caregiver-child learning. The role leads play experiences, provides guest engagement, maintains safe and inviting environments, and works with the Early Learning Team to improve experiences through observation, reflection, feedback, and program development. The position is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt, with a schedule of up to 40 hours per week. The schedule varies and includes weekdays, weekends, evenings, and some holidays. The minimum hourly rate is $17. The role is based at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas, and may include occasional offsite programming.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of experience working with children in a paid, volunteer, educational, childcare, camp, community, or similar setting.
Basic knowledge of child developmental stages.
Demonstrated success in guest engagement or customer service.
Strong verbal communication skills, especially when interacting with diverse early childhood audiences.
Ability to balance shifting priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced, changing environment while maintaining a positive guest experience.
Provide documentation demonstrating authorization to work in the United States.
Complete and pass a background check.
Ability to remain active for extended periods, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and moving quickly through exhibit spaces.
Ability to engage with children and families at floor level, including sitting, kneeling, and frequently transitioning between positions.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather and around water features, sensory materials, art supplies, and other hands-on learning materials.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally.
Ability to reach overhead and below waist level to set up, reset, and maintain exhibits and materials.
Ability to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment with frequent movement and constant interaction.
Ability to work in environments with moderate to high noise levels and visual stimulation.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, caregivers, team members, and groups in moderate to high noise levels, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Working toward a current certificate, such as a CDA, or an associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Play Therapy, Family and Child Studies, or a related field.
Bilingual skills.
Basic knowledge of play-based facilitation.
Curiosity and passion for learning.
Comfort being silly and playful while remaining respectful in speech, actions, and demeanor.
Proven ability to work independently and within a team.

Responsibilities

Initiate and deepen meaningful, play-based interactions for early learners and their caregivers.
Use open-ended questions and active engagement to help children and caregivers connect play with child development.
Adapt facilitation to children’s and families’ developmental needs, abilities, interests, and learning styles.
Create welcoming, inclusive environments where children and caregivers feel supported and empowered to learn together.
Facilitate early learning programs, member experiences, community events, school visits, and occasional offsite programming.
Support the Early Learning Programs Coordinator in designing, testing, and refining drop-in programs, family workshops, week-long camps, daily experiences, and private workshops for community partners.
Support the Early Learning Engagement Coordinator in designing, testing, and refining exhibit experiences.
Collaborate with Early Learning leadership to capture, prepare, and share evidence of learning and impact.
Keep early learning environments organized, clean, inviting, and play-ready by resetting materials and maintaining spaces.
Maintain and organize supplies and materials for early learning experiences.
Promote guest safety through active supervision, clear expectations, and timely intervention while encouraging age-appropriate risk-taking.
Identify, communicate, and respond promptly to maintenance and safety concerns using established protocols.
Encourage children and caregivers to care for materials and learning environments.
Participate in training, coaching, and professional learning focused on early childhood development, play facilitation, and guest engagement.
Seek strategies and best practices to strengthen facilitation and improve the guest experience.
Reflect on observations and guest interactions to improve learning experiences, and share insights that contribute to programming and team practice.
Communicate clearly, respectfully, and proactively with guests, caregivers, team members, and community partners.
Demonstrate accountability, ownership, collaboration, trust, curiosity, creativity, playfulness, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Represent the Amazeum’s mission, educational approach, and guiding principles in every interaction.