Do you love taking care of children?

We hire people who do, and we try to keep them: fair pay, help with an early childhood education degree, and a center small enough that you know every family.

Working here

Pay

Every year the office and the director survey what similar centers in the area pay, and compensation here is kept in the upper third of comparable child care centers.

Help with your degree

Employees who want to further their education and qualify are encouraged to earn an Early Childhood Education degree through our tuition program, under a written agreement with the owners.

In return, you agree to work at Tender Years for three years after finishing your studies. If you leave early, you repay part of the tuition: two thirds if you leave in the first year, half in the second, and a third in the third.

How hiring works

Open positions are posted on the staff and parent board, and may also run in the local newspaper and with Child Care Resources and Employment Security. Candidates are screened by phone and the top three are interviewed. An offer is made after every reference has been contacted and the candidate’s skills confirmed.

Equal opportunity

Placements and promotions follow our policy of equal employment opportunity for everyone, without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability or national origin.

How to apply

  • Call

    (253) 333-8224 and ask about open positions. The director will tell you what is open and what to bring.

  • What to bring

    The documentation every employee provides is listed on our staff page. You do not need all of it to apply, but you will need it to start.

The Tender Years Academy bear, reading

Come and meet us

Call and ask the director what is open. If there is a place for you, you will see the rooms and meet the team before anything is decided.

Book a tour

Pick a day and a time. Tours take about 30 minutes.

Loading open times.
All times Pacific. Nothing during nap time.
We’ll call to confirm before your tour.

2406 A St SE, Auburn, WA 98002. Plan on about 30 minutes. Children are welcome to come along.