Interested UW Undergraduates can apply by completing the online application at https://application.jstart.org/ We also have paper applications available upon request. After you apply, you can expect a response from us within 48 hours. The position is Corps Member.

Undergraduates receive extensive training in the field of early childhood education, so previous experience is not required. The qualifications are: dedication to early childhood education, a commitment to service, and professionalism. All Undergraduates are asked to commit to Jumpstart for the entire academic year.

Undergraduates work about 8-12 hours per week, and complete 300 hours over the course of the academic year. This time includes Training, Sessions, Classroom Assistance Time, Team Planning Meetings, and Events. Undergraduates are not expected to work during finals week or any breaks, but can earn hours doing Classroom Assistance Time. To learn more about the time commitment, visit What do Corps members do?

Only session times remain the same throughout the year. For example, if you want to have an 8:30-10:30 Monday/Wednesday session time for the Fall quarter, we ask that you schedule your winter and spring quarter classes so that you can attend session during that same time. We do this so that undergraduates can remain in the same class and can work with the same partner child throughout the year. this model provides a better experience for undergraduates and children who participate in Jumpstart. Worried about scheduling issues? Contact Us

We make every effort to work with undergraduates around scheduling issues. If your schedule changes unexpectedly, you should contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss your options.

Jumpstart collaborates with six preschools in the Seattle area. They are listed below with addresses.

View a Map of the Preschool Sites>>>

All of our preschools are accessible by bus, and most of our teams either carpool to the preschools or take the bus together. You can find bus schedules and door to door instructions by using the Metro Online Trip Planner.
View Screenshots of the Trip Planner>>>

We make every effort to place undergraduates on teams based on their preferences, however scheduling and team size usually determine where people are placed. If you have a site or team preference, please let us know.

Yes! In the Winter Quarter we offer all Corps members a seminar on early childhood education and is designed to focus on undergraduates' experiences in the classroom. In the past, students have also earned credit through General Studies 350 and have used Jumpstart as a service placement for various departmental requirements. For more information on earning credit with Jumpstart or using it as a service placement, Contact Us.

Students who filled out the FAFSA and indicated they were interested in Work Study should have already received an award letter from the Office of Student Financial Aid. If you still are not sure, you should contact the Work Study Office in 172 Schmitz Hall or call 206-685-1985. Let them know that you are interested in doing Jumpstart. If you are eligible for work study they will give you a "Job Referral Form", which you turn into us when you decide to join Jumpstart.

Jumpstart accepts students who are not work study eligible as volunteers. Those students enjoy all the normal benefits, including academic credit and a $1,000 scholarship (for completing 300 hours). Volunteers have to complete the same amount of hours and are required to attend all the sessions, training, team planning meetings, classroom assistance time, and events as work study students.

If you are interested but do not think you can make the commitment for the year, Email so we can discuss your situation. We also have events and other ways that students can get involved with Jumpstart. For more information, visit Volunteer Events.