Assistant Preschool Teacher

JCYS; Highland Park (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

JCYS in Highland Park is seeking an Assistant Preschool Teacher to support early childhood programs and create a warm, engaging classroom environment.

The role requires a minimum of 2 years of experience with children, DCFS standards compliance, and a High School Diploma. You will collaborate with families and staff to provide safe, meaningful activities and daily updates to parents.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience working with children.
• Must meet DCFS standards for experience and education.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Ability to actively engage with children in various activities.
• Genuine love for children.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and leading fun, developmentally appropriate activities.
• Foster a warm, respectful atmosphere for all children.
• Engage with children throughout the day in classroom, playground, and field trips.
• Keep parents informed with daily classroom updates via email.
• Communicate with the Director about parent messages and incidents.
• Build strong relationships with families and staff.
• Handle confidential information with care.
• Participate in staff meetings and contribute to a team environment.
• Uphold JCYS policies and safety standards.

Skills

DCFS standards

Strong communication

Relationship building

Engaging with children

Team player

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Join Our Team at JCYS!

Jewish Council for Youth Services (JCYS) has been proudly serving Chicagoland for 118 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 a caring and enthusiastic Assistant Preschool Teachers to join our team at our team at our Highland Park Center! 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.

What You’ll Do:

• Assist in planning and leading fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate activities.
• Foster a warm, respectful, and caring atmosphere for all children.
• Engage with children throughout the day — in the classroom, on the playground, and during offsite adventures.
• Keep parents informed with daily classroom updates via email.
• Communicate with the Director about any parent messages, concerns, or classroom incidents.
• Build strong, professional relationships with families and fellow staff members.
• Handle confidential information with care and professionalism.
• Participate in staff meetings and contribute to a positive, team-focused environment.
• Follow JCYS policies and uphold the highest standards of care and safety.

What We’re Looking For:

• At least 2 years of experience working with children.
• Must meet DCFS standards for experience and education.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Strong communication skills — both written and verbal.
• A talent for building positive relationships with children, families, and coworkers.
• Ability to actively engage with children, including sitting on the floor, playing on the playground, and participating in physical activities.
• Most importantly — a genuine love for children!

Physical Requirements:

This role involves regular sitting, standing, walking, talking, and hearing. You’ll also need to be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally and engage in physical activities like kneeling, crawling, and climbing when working with children.

Why You’ll Love It Here:

At JCYS, you’ll find more than just a job — you’ll find a community. We’re committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where both children and staff can thrive.

JCYS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer — we welcome applicants of all backgrounds and are committed to providing a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.