The Gardner School·Chicago, Illinois
The Assistant Infant Teacher will support the Lead Teacher in implementing age-appropriate curriculum and maintaining a safe, nurturing classroom environment. They are responsible for fostering positive relationships with families and ensuring daily routines and hygiene standards are met.
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Join our team as an Assistant Teacher at The Gardner School of Bucktown!
We have an exciting opportunity for Assistant Infant Teacher working in our State-of-the-Art facility.
At The Gardner School of Bucktown, 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: Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing age-appropriate curriculum and activities that align with each child’s developmental needs.
Offer nurturing guidance that supports each child’s emotional and behavioral development.
Model The Gardner School’s core values: Children First, Trust, Innovation, and Make a Difference Maintain respectful, supportive relationships with parents and families.
Ensure a clean, organized, and safe classroom by supporting daily routines, hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
Collaborate with teaching team members and school leaders to ensure consistency and support across classrooms.
Uphold a professional, team-oriented mindset at all times.
Competitive Pay: The starting pay range is $17.40-$21.50 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: Ongoing professional development and training, opportunities for advancement within our growing organization, and a supportive, mission-driven culture.
Education/Certification: High school diploma (required). Current CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire) Experience: 1+ years of experience working with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Knowledge, Skills and Physical Requirements: Eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. (Required) Regular and reliable attendance. Passion for early childhood education and a nurturing, joyful approach to care. 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. Interest in growing within a supportive, mission-driven preschool environment. 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 high school diploma and at least one year of experience working with children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. A current CPR/First Aid certification is required, along with the ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting up to 60 lbs.
Market context
In Illinois, assistant infant teacher openings are often driven by steady demand for early childhood staff who can support infants and toddlers in licensed settings. These roles are competitive because employers usually look for a high school diploma, prior experience with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, and current or soon-to-be-obtained CPR/First Aid certification, plus the physical ability to lift up to 60 lbs. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your experience with infant care and certification status before applying.