1

Early Learning Mentor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Early Learning Manager

Kenai, AK · On-site

$113K - $115K/yr

Serve as a leader, mentor, coach and professional peer to all Early Learning staff members * Ensure that all program strategies are fulfilled in a timely and professional manner. Assist and support ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Early Learning Mentor information

See salary details

$9

$19

$31

How much do early learning mentor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for early learning mentor in the United States is $19.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What qualifications do I need to be a learning mentor?

To become a learning mentor, relevant qualifications typically include a Level 3 qualification in education or youth work, such as a CACHE diploma or NVQ, along with experience working with children or young people. Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of child development are also important, and some roles may require a background check or safeguarding training.

What jobs can you get with a CDA certification?

A CDA (Child Development Associate) certification qualifies individuals for early childhood education roles such as preschool teacher, childcare provider, or early learning mentor. It demonstrates competency in child development and caregiving, often required for positions in preschools, daycare centers, and Head Start programs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Early Learning Mentor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Early Learning Mentor, you need a solid understanding of early childhood education principles, child development, and often a relevant qualification such as a diploma or degree in early childhood education. Familiarity with assessment tools, curriculum planning software, and child observation systems is also valuable. Outstanding communication, patience, and the ability to build trusting relationships with both children and educators set exceptional mentors apart. These skills are essential for fostering supportive learning environments and effectively guiding both children and staff in their growth and development.

What is an Early Learning Mentor?

An Early Learning Mentor is a professional who supports and guides early childhood educators, caregivers, and sometimes parents in fostering young children's learning and development. They provide coaching, share best practices, and help create effective learning environments for children typically from birth to age 5. Their role often involves observing classrooms, offering feedback, and facilitating professional development. Early Learning Mentors play a crucial part in improving the quality of early childhood education by empowering educators to implement evidence-based teaching strategies.

How does an Early Learning Mentor typically collaborate with teachers and parents to support children's development?

Early Learning Mentors work closely with teachers by providing guidance on curriculum implementation, sharing effective teaching strategies, and modeling best practices in the classroom. They also engage with parents through regular communication, workshops, and progress updates to ensure consistency between home and school learning environments. This collaborative approach helps create a supportive network around each child, enabling more personalized and effective development. Building strong relationships with both educators and families is a key part of daily and weekly responsibilities for Early Learning Mentors.

What is the difference between Early Learning Mentor vs Early Childhood Educator?

AspectEarly Learning MentorEarly Childhood Educator
QualificationsTypically requires a relevant childcare or education qualification, such as a Level 3 or 4 in childcare or early years educationRequires a similar qualification, often a Level 3 Diploma in Early Childhood Education or equivalent
Work EnvironmentFocuses on mentoring and supporting early years staff, working in childcare settings, training centers, or local authoritiesWorks directly with children in nurseries, preschools, or early years settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by training providers, local authorities, and childcare organizations to improve staff skillsEmployed by nurseries, preschools, and early years centers to deliver direct care and education

While both roles require similar qualifications and work within early childhood settings, the Early Learning Mentor primarily supports and trains staff, whereas the Early Childhood Educator works directly with children. The mentor role emphasizes professional development, while the educator role focuses on delivering early learning experiences.

What is the highest paid job in childcare?

The highest paid jobs in childcare are often executive roles such as childcare center directors or early childhood education administrators, who oversee operations and staff. These positions typically require advanced degrees, certifications, and extensive experience, and they can earn significantly higher salaries than entry-level teaching roles.

What is the highest paying job in child development?

In child development, senior roles such as Child Development Director or Pediatric Healthcare Administrator tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills in educational or healthcare settings.
More about Early Learning Mentor jobs
Infographic showing various Early Learning Mentor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,653 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
Early Learning Mentor Coach

Early Learning Mentor Coach

Neighborhood House (NH)

Seattle, WA • On-site

Other

Posted yesterday


Job description

Having trouble completing your application? For support, please call (206) 461-8430 or emailjobs@nhwa.org.

Closing date: Until filled

Agency Overview

At Neighborhood House (NH), our vision is a healthy, diverse, and welcoming community, free of poverty and racism, where all people thrive. We serve over 13,000 individuals in Seattle/South King County in the areas of early learning, youth development, citizenship, employment, health, housing, resource navigation, and aging adults. In addition to direct services, we use our experience and deep connection to our communities to advocate for equitable access to services, and policy changes that advance equity for all.

When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!

Neighborhood House is on a mission to becoming a multi-cultural, anti-racist agency. We are achieving this by sharing power, listening to and learning from each other and our communities, and working to repair past inequities. We are building a culture where equity is the foundation, inclusiveness is the default, and access for marginalized communities is the norm.

Our Agency Values include Community, Equity, Integrity, Relationships, and Sustainability. More information about our Agency Values can be foundhere.

Clickherefor more details about our benefits program.

Job Summary

Child Development Department staff support the Neighborhood House mission framework and Strategic Plan by contributing to the school readiness of low-income children and supporting their parents, care givers and community. The primary responsibility of the Early Learning Mentor Coach is to provide on-going coaching for staff that supports effective early learning teaching practices that lead to positive outcomes for children within the context of a collaborative relationship with teachers and families.

Responsibilities

Program Planning, Design and Implementation

  • Anticipate future trends and articulate credible visions enabling innovative and appropriate program planning. Design, implement and evaluate program development strategies.
  • Support the supervisors and managers in determining whether the program is able to achieve compliance and quality benchmarks.
  • Complete all required program reports accurately and in a timely manner.

Promote and Support School Readiness and Family Engagement

  • Develop and maintain positive, supportive relationships with child development staff for the purpose of supporting staff growth through the mentoring process.
  • Develop and maintain schedules for on-site visits and observations for the purpose of determining needs.
  • Utilize Relationship Based Coaching cycle components for the purpose of assessing needs, engaging in focused observations, and providing reflection and feedback in order to set goals and develop action plans.
  • Provide constructive feedback and on-site support for teaching practices for the purpose of increasing teacher skills and competence. This may include modeling, co-teaching, observing, providing reading materials or other resources as needed.
  • Support teacher implementation of program's approach to culturally responsive programming for the purpose of meeting the key language needs of all children as well as children learning English.
  • Gather and record information about teacher's implementation of practices described in goals/action plans for the purpose of summarizing and analyzing data.
  • Plan and present individual and group workshops on relevant child development topics based on program data for the purpose of providing individualized professional development.
  • Provide follow up support to staff following any form of training for the purpose of increasing implementation of information and transfer of skill into practice.
  • Work jointly with Managers to compile and interpret program data for the purpose of determining focus areas for mentoring and professional development as well as developing data related procedures as needed.
  • Participate in substantial initial and ongoing professional development. Provide effective mentor/coach activities as well as provide expertise on theory and practices that support children's development.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • BA/BS in early childhood education or related field.
  • Three years experience in classroom working with children birth to three.
  • Three years supervisory experience in a related setting, including group organizing and working with families.
  • Knowledge of and familiarity with the practices and principles of early childhood education, including curriculum, assessment, individualized learning, promoting parents as their child's first teacher, continuity of care, and teacher/caregiver training and supervision.
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting to stakeholders including parents, staff, program management and program leadership.
  • Demonstrated ability to relate to and work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds.
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback, and manage dynamic interchanges in meetings.
  • Experience utilizing environmental ratings scales (ECERS, ITERS, HOVRS, Arnett Scale) and teacher/child interaction tools (CLASS).
  • An understanding of the Head Start philosophy and the ability to implement its principal of shared authority and decision-making.
  • Willingness to comply with established agency performance standards which may include: productivity/personal responsibility, client/customer service orientation, embracing a team player orientation, entrepreneurialism, and maintaining a professional demeanor.
  • Willingness to comply with Head Start Standards of Conduct by promoting the unique identity of each child and family; conforming with program confidentiality policies; following child supervision and guidance policies; and refraining from soliciting or accepting personal gratuities, favors, or anything of significant monetary value from contractors or potential contractors.
  • Establish a professional development plan and participate in ongoing professional development.
  • Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel independently to Child Development service sites.

Desired Qualifications

  • Masters Degree preferred.
  • Familiarity with and experience implementing Head Start/Early Head Start performance standards preferred.
  • Bi-lingual ability.
  • Current or former Head Start and Early Head Start parents receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

Required Credentials

  • Must pass Neighborhood House background check requirements.
  • Position requires Washington State bi-annual criminal background re-check.
  • Current Health Exam, Tuberculosis Screening, and record of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination or immunity (must be obtained prior to employment).
  • Department of Early Learning portable background check

Post-Hire on-the-job Training Requirements

  • Child Abuse and Neglect training (within 2 weeks of hire).
  • Current First Aid Certificate within 30 days of hire.
  • Current CPR Certificate within 30 days of hire.
  • Sexual Harassment Training within 30 days of hire.
  • Current Blood Borne Pathogens training within 30 days of employment (maintain current training status during employment).
  • Food Handlers certificate within 30 days of employment (maintain certificate during employment).
  • Obtain and maintain CLASS reliable certification for Toddler and Preschool.

Employment Practice

Neighborhood House is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we support and follow federal, state and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Neighborhood House does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, caste, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical ability including HIV status, height, weight, veteran status, military obligations, sexual orientation and expression of gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Management and HR staff are committed to ensuring that all personnel decisions that affect employees, clients, volunteers, and board members are made in accordance with the equal employment opportunity principles of nondiscrimination.

For more information

Inquiries may be directed to People and Culture at (206) 461-8430 or by e-mail to jobs@nhwa.org.