The Gardner School·Naperville, Illinois
The Lead Infant Teacher will lead and inspire the classroom by planning developmentally appropriate lessons and maintaining a safe, joyful environment. They are also responsible for mentoring assistant teachers and building meaningful relationships with children and their families.
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We're Hiring!
Join our team as a Lead Teacher at The Gardner School of Naperville North!
We have an exciting opportunity for Lead Infant Teacher working in our State-of-the-Art facility.
At The Gardner School of Naperville North, we believe learning begins with love — for children, for teaching, and for making a difference.
Join our passionate, professional team in our state-of-the-art preschool, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated every day.
What You’ll Do: Lead and inspire your classroom with creativity, care, and excellence Mentor assistant teachers and model The Gardner School’s core values: Children First, Trust, Innovation, and Make a Difference Build meaningful relationships with families and children Plan engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons that spark curiosity Maintain safety, compliance, and a joyful classroom environment
Competitive Pay: The starting pay range is $18.75-$23.10 per hour, based on education and experience Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; 401(k) with company match; childcare tuition discount; paid holidays; and professional development opportunities Career Growth: Opportunities for advancement within our growing organization
Education/Certification: CDA, or Associate's degree with at least 6 credit hours in ECE (required); Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related degree (with at least 6 credit hours in ECE) (preferred) Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire) Experience: 2+ years of early childhood education experience (lead or co-lead experience preferred) Knowledge, Skills and Physical Requirements: Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. (Required) Regular and reliable attendance. Intermediate PC skills and proficiency with general administrative tasks. (Required) Active engagement throughout the day including standing, sitting on the floor, bending, and lifting up to ~60 lbs. Ability to fulfill cognitive and interpersonal aspects of a classroom leadership including speaking, hearing, reading, writing, focusing attention, and building relationships Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. The Gardner School extends equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other reason prohibited by law.
Candidates must have a CDA or an Associate's degree with at least 6 credit hours in ECE, along with 2+ years of early childhood education experience. A current CPR/First Aid certification is required, and applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Market context
In Illinois, Lead Infant Teacher roles are typically competitive because programs look for candidates with early childhood education credentials, hands-on experience with children ages 0-3, and interest in Montessori training. This posting’s requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you review details faster. If you are applying, confirm your degree and ECE or Child Development credits before submitting.