Position Function
This position is responsible for educating and nurturing the children in the Early Head Start Program. Ensure children have an opportunity to achieve, play, create, and be safe and healthy.

Essential Functions
•Provide a positive climate, responsive caregiving, and continuity to help children develop secure relationships while focusing on the children’s social and emotional well-being.
•Work with assigned group 0- to 3-year-olds, applying best practices for care and physical safety.
•Plan for the mental, social, physical, emotional, and diverse learning of the children served.
•Maintain awareness and supervision of the needs of the entire classroom; and ensure routines such as diapering, toileting/training if needed, hand washing.
•Ensure meals are handled promptly and consistently with state and local regulations.
•Prepare and maintain student progress reports, lesson plans, and other reports related to the classroom experience.
•Assist and participate in organizational staff committees and parent committees where appropriate.
•Conduct quarterly parent-teacher conferences for each child.
•Assist and participate in organizational staff committees and parent committees where appropriate.
•Supports the classroom teacher(s) and carry out assigned duties.
•Implement and carryout organizational, facility, and program objectives in the classroom.
•Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Performs other functions as may be required to support the organization’s mission.

Requirements:
•Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with Infant/Toddler Credential Level 5 Preferred
•Minimum CDA Credential or Gateways IT Credential Level 2 or associate’s AAS and minimum two classes in Infant and Toddler Development
•Must pass DCFS background check and maintain clearance throughout employment.
•Ability to analyze, interpret and comply with the Illinois State Board of Education and Head Start Standards
•Ability to relate, build rapport and develop a mutual respect with children, parents, and families.
•Willing and able to work flexible hours, potentially including some evenings and Saturdays; hours may be adjusted to accommodate program need.

Salary:
•Compensation is commensurate based on experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The salary range is $36,777 - $53,000 annually.

Centers for New Horizons offers a generous benefit packet
•HMO and PPO Medical Coverage Plans
•HMO and PPO Dental Plans
•Vision Insurance Plans
•Company Paid Individual Life Insurance
•Company Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
•Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Option
•403b with up to 4% Match
•Pet Insurance
•Telehealth – Virtual Doctor Visits
•Accident Insurance
•Commuter Benefit
•Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
•Starting with 10 Paid Vacation days
•7 paid Sick Leave
•11 Paid Holidays
•Paid Birthday off
•Student loan forgiveness eligible employer

Supervisory Responsibilities:
•None

Work Environment:
The typical work environment in the classroom, but some locations will be outside of the classroom. The noise level will vary depending on the location. External vehicles, office equipment, machinery, telephone, and children playing produce noise.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, stoop, and walk.
The employee must occasionally lift and or move up to the 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee may be required to work attend trips and/or visit areas in the city of Chicago and suburbs and must be able to transport himself/herself to various locations.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.