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. Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture. We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do.

The Teacher Aide works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher and Teacher Assistant to plan and implement the daily education program for the children. Under the reflective supervision of the Lead Teacher, the Teacher Aide will support the Lead Teacher and Teacher Assistant in ensuring 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 they reflect the agency’s philosophy and curriculum.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Accurately complete all required program documentation and submit in a timely manner to the Lead Teacher.
• Participate in recruitment efforts to help maintain full program enrollment.
• Monitor and ensure that daily attendance, health checks, parent sign/scan in, and meal participation reports are completed daily.
• Maintain timely and effective communication through daily monitoring and response to Outlook emails

Child Development:

• Support Lead and Assistant teachers by observing and documenting children’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development as needed.
• Adhere to all IEP, IFSP, 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.
• Participate in Family/Child Reviews.
• Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
• Curriculum and Assessment:
• Collaborate with the classroom teaching team to plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences that will promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child.
• Contribute to the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, experiences, and outcomes for children.
• Partner alongside 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.
• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a classroom environment that ensures appropriate child guidance and discipline techniques are implemented in accordance with Educare’s philosophy, curriculum, policies, procedures, Head Start standards, and Start Early standards of conduct and state regulations.

Classroom Environment:

• Work alongside classroom teaching team and maintains a classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques, that meets state and local licensing regulations, Head Start Program Performance Standards, program curriculum (Creative Curriculum), and, (Conscious Discipline, and Erikson Early Math Lessons approach) into individualized and group learning opportunities.
• In conjunction with the teaching team maintain a classroom environment that reflects the use of Conscious Discipline and follows the guidelines of ITERS or ECERS. Implements Active Supervision Strategies.
• Parent Involvement/Interdisciplinary Work:
• Encourage parent participation in the program, including participation in parent events, home visits, conferences, and volunteering in the classroom.
• Develop positive and effective partnerships with families using the Touchpoints Approach (once trained). Hold friendly daily conversations with families and maintain professional boundaries. Participates in family engagement and recruitment events.

Program Continuity & Other Duties:

• Follow all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing and the Start Early’s philosophy, agency policies and procedures, curriculum and Standards of Conduct.
• Attend and actively participate in all required meetings and trainings, and reflective supervision.
• Ensure 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.
• Administer medication as needed (ex. Nebulizer treatment, EpiPen).
• Perform other duties as assigned, within the scope of the job description

Teacher Aide II

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Non -Expired Birth-5 Child Development Associate (CDA) credential preferred
• OR

Teacher Aide I

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Applicants who do not currently hold a CDA must be willing to obtain the credential within their first year of employment. The organization will provide support and cover the cost of obtaining the CDA for eligible employees who are hired without the credential.

• A minimum of 6 months’ experience working in an early childhood program
• Flexibility to work a schedule between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and adaptability to learn and effectively use new technology and software programs as needed.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills when working with diverse families, children, and professionals.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information and materials.
• Respectful and responsive communication that demonstrates care, professionalism, and concern for others.
• A collaborative and supportive approach to working effectively as a member of a team.
• Understanding of Early Head Start, Head Start, and other developmentally appropriate early childhood programs, including the application of program practices and requirements.
• Knowledge and application of child development and early childhood principles, practices, and curricula appropriate to the assigned age group (birth–3 or 3–5 years).

Physical Requirements

• Capacity to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds as required by the position.
• Comfort and physical mobility to participate in classroom activities at children’s level, including floor-based activities that require sitting, kneeling, bending, and squatting.
• Responsiveness and mobility to move quickly and appropriately to meet children’s needs, including following or safely intervening when a child runs or moves away from a designated area.
• Active participation in and support of children during play and outdoor activities.
• Safe and appropriate response to children’s needs in a variety of classroom and emergency situations, including providing supervision and assistance as needed.
• Capacity to perform the essential physical functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Pre-employment and/or employment-related health assessments are required in accordance with organizational policies and applicable licensing and program requirements. Employees must complete all required health screenings, assessments, and documentation within the designated timeframe.

Hourly Compensation: Teacher Aide I $17.92 - $18.99 per hour + $1,500 Sign On Bonus

Teacher Aide II $21.32 - $22.60 per hour +$1,500 Sign On Bonus

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.