Are you kind, patient, nurturing, and passionate about the development of children? If so, we would love to have you come grow with us! We are seeking inspired a well-qualified Head Start Teacher Assistant to start immediately!

Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Providing a safe learning environment
• Developing and implementing age appropriate weekly lesson plans: Uses effective teaching techniques, materials and educational experiences to support instruction within the curriculum guidelines (Creative Curriculum, the Early Learning Standards, and Head Start Performance Standards)
• Performing ongoing developmental evaluations of children: Addressing individual needs of each child
• Maintaining ongoing, open, professional communication with families: Warm and welcoming formal and informal daily communication; conduct required parent-teacher conferences and home visits
• Providing a classroom environment that encourages parent participation: Field trips; classroom activities; classroom volunteer opportunities
• Maintaining compliance with agency standards and requirements: DCFS; Illinois Gateway Registry; USDA
• Collaborating with colleagues: (teachers, specialists/coordinators, site manager, director, kitchen staff) Ensuring all educational aspects of the program, including meal service and bathroom activities, meeting students’ developmental needs and documenting growth and development accordingly.
• Developing positive and proactive relationships: Working with colleagues; recruiting efforts

Core Competencies/Skills:

• Effective problem-solving skills
• Able to manage confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to effectively plan, organize and implement educational activities
• Knowledge of Early Child Development and program operations (child to staff ratios)
• Effective and efficient focus on paperwork requirements (daily sign in and out; daily record of student attendance, assessment, and anecdotal records; equipment and supply inventories)
• Overall positive and professional attitude/disposition (arrive on time daily; attendance at all in-service/workshop trainings and staff/other meetings)
• Must be adaptable, flexible, teachable, and willing to accept supervision and assignments (high level of flexibility and willingness to work all shifts)
• Good physical health (free from communicable diseases/illegal substances) and physical capability to work with preschool children (able to lift 40 lbs.)

Educational Requirements:

• Must have a CDA credential or state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education, or enrolled in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.
• Meet licensing standards of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

As our Head Start Teacher Assistant, you are responsible for assisting the Teacher with creating a classroom atmosphere conducive to total child growth and development, focused on the educational
program and promotion of family involvement.

This Job Is Ideal for Someone Who Is:

• Dependable - more reliable than spontaneous
• People-oriented - enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
• Adaptable/flexible - enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction
• Detail-oriented - would rather focus on the details of work than the bigger picture
• Achievement-oriented - enjoys taking on challenges, even if they might fail

Job Type: Full-time

Experience: Early Childhood: 1 year (Preferred)

Education: Associate (Preferred)

License: CDA (Preferred)

Hours per Week: 40

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance (includes STD/LTD/AD&D coverage)
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement