Afternoon Aide

Jewish Council for Youth Services; Highland Park (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) in Highland Park is seeking caring Afternoon Aides to support early childhood programs and camp activities. You will assist with play-based learning, supervise children, and help with transitions while maintaining a welcoming classroom environment.

We value dependability, teamwork, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping children grow. Must be 16+, with coursework in early childhood education a plus; experience with young children is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience with children preferred.
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Enthusiasm for supporting early learning and child development.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a teaching team.
• Dependable and punctual.
• Coursework in early childhood education a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support lead and assistant teachers with classroom activities, including play-based learning, art, music, and outdoor time.
• Help supervise children to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
• Assist with transitions, such as snack time and pick-up.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and staff.
• Follow all program policies and licensing regulations.
• Provide a warm, responsive presence that models kindness, patience, and respect.

Skills

Experience with children

Team collaboration

Enthusiasm for early learning

Punctuality

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) has been proudly serving Chicagoland for 119 years, providing high-quality early childhood education and enriching camp programs to children of all religions, races, and ethnicities.

We're on the lookout for caring and enthusiastic Afternoon Aides to join our team at our Highland Park location! If you have a passion for working with young children and want to make a difference in their early learning journey, we'd love to meet you!

Why Join JCYS?

At JCYS, we believe that early childhood is a time of exploration, discovery, and growth - not just for kids, but for teachers too! You'll become part of a supportive team where your contributions are valued, and you'll have the opportunity to create meaningful connections with children and their families.

Key Responsibilities

• Support lead and assistant teachers with classroom activities, including play-based learning, art, music, and outdoor time
• Help supervise children to ensure their safety and well-being at all times
• Assist with transitions, such as snack time and pick-up
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment
• Build positive relationships with children, families, and staff
• Follow all program policies and licensing regulations
• Provide a warm, responsive presence that models kindness, patience, and respect

Qualifications

• Experience working with children (infants, toddlers, or preschool-aged) preferred
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Enthusiasm for supporting early learning and child development
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a teaching team
• Dependable and punctual
• Coursework in early childhood education a plus

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

JCYS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.