Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement developmentally appropriate educational programs for children birth to five. Manage classroom activities, document child growth, and maintain strong partnerships with families through conferences and home visits.
Requirements summary
Requires an Associate's degree in ECE/CD or equivalent college credits, along with a Gateways Level 4 Infant & Toddler Credential. Candidates must have at least one year of experience in early childhood programs and hold CPR, First Aid, and Food Handlers certifications.
Description Educare Chicago provides high-quality care, best-in-class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old on Chicago’s South Side. As a program that serves low-income families, Educare’s research-based program helps children develop the literacy, language, early math, and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication.
The Early Head Start Teacher Assistant works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the reflective supervision of the Lead Teacher, the Teacher Assistant will ensure that all classroom activities and the environment are developmentally appropriate and meet the individual needs of children as mandated by federal, state, and local standards and that both the environment and classroom activities reflect the agency’s philosophy and curriculum. The Teacher Assistant assumes the classroom Lead Teacher’s responsibilities in the absence of the Lead Teacher. Your role will report to and be supported by the Education Coordinator, who is onsite to help guide and inform your lesson practice and planning as a part of the Educare Chicago structure.
Reporting to the Education Coordinator, you will
Administrative
Responsibilities: In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, develop and regularly monitor child education binders for each child and ensure all confidential information is protected. Accurately complete all required program documentation and submit it promptly to the Lead Teacher. Participate in recruitment efforts to help maintain full program enrollment. As assigned by the lead teacher, monitor and confirm daily attendance, health checks, parent sign/scan in, and meal participation reports are completed daily. Read and respond to Outlook emails daily.
Child
Development: Observe, assess, and document each assigned child’s growth and development in TSG with a minimum of two entries per child each week and three entries per child with an IFSP/IEP. Adhere to all IEP, IFSP, and IHP Implementation Plans, and/or strategies provided by Education Managers and/or Consultants. Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success. Ensure goals are made with parents and are reflected in children’s individual plans. Participate in Family/Child Reviews. Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
Curriculum and
Benefits
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Volunteer Days
401k Contribution
Comprehensive Health Plans
Holistic Wellness Program
Professional Development Program
Dedication To Diversity & Inclusion
Assessment: In conjunction with the classroom teaching team, plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences that will promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child and support their school readiness. In conjunction with the classroom teaching team develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, experiences, and outcomes for children. In conjunction with the classroom teaching team utilize standardized and authentic assessment data to create learning opportunities to advance children’s development and learning. Develop and maintain observation, technological, and individualization skills required for assessment and lesson planning, including completing all assigned TSG modules and trainings. Establish and maintain a classroom environment that ensures appropriate child guidance and discipline techniques are implemented in accordance with Educare’s philosophy, curriculum, policies and procedures, Head Start standards, Ounce standards of conduct and state regulations.
Classroom
Environment: Assume responsibility for the management of the classroom during the Teacher’s absence. Ensure all children are always under appropriate supervision and no child is left unattended. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, perform and delegate child development and documentation responsibilities as needed. In conjunction with the teaching team maintain a classroom environment that reflects the use of “New Beginnings” and follows the guidelines of ITERS or ECERS. In the absence of the Lead Teacher, assume proper care and responsibility for your classroom.
Parent
Involvement: As assigned by the Lead Teacher, schedule and conduct Parent/Staff conferences and adhere to the parent/staff conference guidance policy. As assigned by the Lead Teacher, schedule and conduct home visits and adhere to the home visit guidance policy. In conjunction with the Lead Teacher, encourage parent participation in the program, including participation in parent events, home visits, conferences, and volunteering in the classroom. In conjunction with the teaching team and Family Support Specialists, plan and implement three classroom meetings. Hold friendly daily conversations with families and maintain professional boundaries. Develop positive and effective partnerships with families using the Touchpoints Approach (once trained). Follow all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing, and the Ounce’s philosophy, agency policies and procedures, curriculum, and Standards of Conduct. Attend and actively participate in all required meetings and trainings, and reflective supervision. Perform other duties as assigned, within the scope of the job description. Administer medication as needed (ex. Nebulizer treatment, Epipen).
Requirements
Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD), OR Sixty (60) college credit hours with a minimum of fifteen (15) semester hours (12 semester hours of which are in infant/toddler development), or an unrelated degree with a current Infant and Toddler CDA.
The Gateways Level 4 Infant & Toddler Credential for Early Head Start is required upon hire A minimum of one year of experience in an Early Childhood or Childcare Program.
20 hours of annual continuing education.
CPR and First Aid certification, and Food Handlers certification.
Additional training requirements include Mandated Reporter, Health and Safety Basics, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Maintain required certifications and continuing education.
Knowledge of and ability to implement Early Head Start/Head Start or other developmental child care programs.
Knowledge of and ability to implement child development and early childhood principles, practices, and curricula for the specific age group (0-3 or 3-5).
Ability to remain abreast of ongoing developments in the child care field.
Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community.
Ability to work a flexible work schedule between the hours of 7:00am – 6:00pm.
Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
Deep commitment to advancing diversity and incorporating it into interpersonal routines and practice.
Efficiently establish and handle relationships with colleagues/clients and gain their trust and respect.
Relief and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.
We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here.
Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.
Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!
Salary
$40,575.00 - $41,535.00, + $3,000 Sign On Bonus As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.
Our generous benefits plan includes
Comprehensive Health Plans, Dedication to Diversity & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months of paid parental leave, and much more.
Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by crafting an inclusive environment for all staff.
Market context
Illinois classroom teacher demand remains steady
Illinois classroom teacher roles are typically in steady demand, especially in districts seeking candidates who can support diverse student needs and communicate clearly with families and staff. This type of role is competitive because employers often look for classroom experience plus related backgrounds such as sociology, psychology, counseling, or education, and bilingual skills in English, Spanish, or Portuguese can strengthen an application. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then tailor your resume to highlight public speaking experience and weekend availability if you have it.
