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Job detail

Preschool Lead Teacher

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Employer page
#Full-Time#Early Learning#Child Development#Classroom Environment#Child Supervision#Youth Development#Classroom Management#Preschool Teacher#Child Abuse Prevention
#Continuous Quality Improvement
#Creative Curriculum
#Lesson Plan Implementation
Full TimeOn Site0-2 yrs$43,888 / YEARPosted 3 months ago

Location

Downers Grove, Illinois

Salary

$43,888 / YEAR

Quick overview

The Lead Teacher is responsible for providing a safe and supportive classroom environment for preschool children ages 2-5, utilizing Creative Curriculum and Illinois Early Learning Standards to write and implement lesson plans supporting physical, emotional, cognitive, and social growth. Key duties include classroom management, supervision, assessment, and ensuring compliance with DCFS and YMCA policies.

Requirements summary

Candidates must meet DCFS licensing and program accreditation requirements, preferring an ECE Credential Level 1 or higher. Alternatively, 64 semester hours with 21 hours in early childhood education plus specific administrative training or credentialing is required, along with one year of preschool teaching experience strongly preferred.

professional certificateAssessmentTeam CollaborationClassroom ManagementData CollectionChild DevelopmentParent CommunicationLesson PlanningInstructional DesignClassroom SupervisionEvaluationsChild SafetyCreative CurriculumPositive Guidance TechniquesKindergarten ReadinessIllinois Early Learning StandardsDCFS Compliance

Job description

Indian Boundary YMCA is now hiring a full-time Preschool Teacher!

As a Lead Teacher you are responsible for providing a safe and supportive classroom environment for preschool children ages 2-5 while preparing for kindergarten readiness. Using Creative Curriculum and Illinois Early Learning Standards, the Lead Teacher will write and implement a lesson plan that will support the growth and development in children's physical, emotional, cognitive, and social skills while ensuring developmentally appropriate practices. The Lead Teacher is also responsible for classroom management and supervision of children, learning, assessment and evaluations, as well as following policies set forth by DCFS and YMCA standards and policies, as applicable.

This position pays $43,888 per year with full-time benefits and opportunities to grow within the organization!

  • Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:
  • Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work-life balance.
  • 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
  • Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.
  • Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

Scope of Responsibilities

  • Promote and model high quality teaching and learning in the classroom that fosters kindergarten readiness.
  • Demonstrate culturally and linguistically appropriate practices that values all children and families and makes them feel welcomed and an essential part of the program
  • Maintain awareness and supervision of children’s needs and ensure their physical health and safety, at all times.
  • Communicate and develop effective partnerships with parents and families, encouraging parent involvement.
  • Abide by DCFS and all quality standards for maintaining safe, high-quality programming

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Paid holidays
  • Paid time off
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Wellness programs
  • Mental health resources
  • Continuous learning opportunities
  • Discounts on programs
  • Company-sponsored events
  • Family gym membership
  • 403(b) plan with company contributions

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YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

YO

Hiring organization

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Established in 1858, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago was created as a place where community members could find growth and support. Today, 165 years later, the YMCA of Metro Chicago has 14 centers, five camps, and nearly 100 extension sites, making the Y one of the largest...

Explore employer profile
IndustryNon-profit Organizations
TypeNonprofit
Size1,001-5,000 employees
HQChicago, IL
Founded1858

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  • Collaborate regularly with classroom team including families, volunteers and all staff.
  • Collect and use multiple data sources, both formative and summative, to inform instruction and child centered learning and development.
  • Complete routine professional development annually; utilize continuous quality improvement (CQI); and identify different instructional resources and methods to meet children's varying needs and improve the classroom experience for children and families.
  • Participate and support association/center efforts towards recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of families while supporting the YMCA's mission and center operations as needed.
  • Lesson Planning and Classroom Management

    • Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that represent the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
    • Implement high quality, developmentally appropriate instructional activities and curriculum approaches (like Creative Curriculum™) that facilitate active learning experiences and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child; while ensuring the program follows DCFS, YMCA, ExceleRate Illinois™, and NAEYC accreditation standards, if applicable.
    • Research, plan, and implement appropriate studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time.
    • Establish and maintain an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques and that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.
    • Leverage the physical environment and pedagogical documentation to support teaching and learning practices.
    • Use observational and child data to plan developmentally appropriate and engaging early learning experiences based upon the emergent needs of the child.
    • Documents observations and maintains child portfolios to aid in assessments.

    Requirements

    • Must meet DCFS licensing, and program related accreditation/credentialing requirements; ECE Credential Level 1 or higher preferred.
    • OR
    • 64 semester hours in any discipline with a minimum of 21 hours of college credit in child development, early childhood education or early childhood special education AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
    • Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential
    • OR 3 semester hours of college credit in administration, leadership or management
    • OR 3 points of credential-approved training in administration, leadership or management.
    • One year experience teaching or equivalent in a preschool classroom strongly preferred.
    • Must provide documentation of Gateways credentialing or apply within 90 days of employment.
    • Knowledge of how to design and implement the Creative Curriculum and other high quality curriculum approaches preferred.
    • Pre-Employment medical screening and TB test per program requirements.
    • Required to be achieved or maintained once in role: Food Handlers Training
    • Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:
    • Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
    • Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
    • Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
    • Completing all child abuse prevention training as required

    IND1

    Market context

    Illinois preschool roles favor experienced educators

    In Illinois, preschool lead teacher openings often draw steady interest because centers need educators who can support early learning, classroom routines, and family communication. This role is competitive for candidates with preschool or daycare experience and familiarity with NAEYC standards. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then tailor your application to show classroom experience and early childhood passion.

    Salary benchmark

    $52,511 avg / yr

    Full guide →

    Typical range: $35,686–$52,000 based on 300 active listings in Illinois

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