Bilingual Spanish Inclusion Aide

Start-Early; Beach Park (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Plans

401k Contribution

Paid Volunteer Days

6 months paid parental leave

Professional Development Program

Job summary

Start Early Lake County is hiring an Inclusion Aide to support children with disabilities within a Head Start framework in Lake County, IL. The role focuses on providing safe, inclusive classroom support and implementing individualized plans for students with special needs.

You will work with the teaching team to ensure inclusive practices, document progress, and help sustain a developmentally appropriate learning environment aligned with Head Start standards.

Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish required; reading, writing, and speaking both languages.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 1–2 years' experience with children with disabilities or challenging behavior preferred in early childhood settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide information to Lead Teacher to assist referrals for children with special needs.
• Assist in maintaining a classroom with positive guidance that meets licensing standards.
• Collaborate to implement Implementation and Interim plans for special needs development.
• Gather documentation such as assessment data, work samples, observations, and reports.
• Assist with Conscious Discipline curriculum implementation.
• Complete monthly progress reports for children with Implementation and Interim Plans.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Strong communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CDA or Associate Degree in Education

6+ credit hours in Early Childhood Development

Tools

Basic computer applications

Job description

Description

We are hiring in Lake County, IL.

Start Early Lake County provides high-quality care, best-in-class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old. As a program that serves low-income families, Start Early’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.

As the Inclusion Aide, you will assist students with disabilities and special needs including safety, personal care needs, facilitating total inclusion to the daily curriculum and execution of classroom activities. You will help to maintain a classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate and meet the individual needs of children as mandated by federal, state, and local standards and ensure the execution of individualized Implementation and Interim Plans, as well as Conscious Discipline curriculum supports.

When you join our team as an Inclusion Aide, you will:

• Provide information to the Lead Teacher that will assist in the referral process for children with special needs.
• Assist the teaching team in maintaining a classroom environment that includes positive guidance techniques that meet state and local licensing regulations and Head Start performance Standards.
• Collaborate with internal team to implement Implementation and Interim plans and other identified needs related to special needs development.
• Assist the teaching team in gathering documentation such as assessment data, work samples, observations and reports.
• Assist the teaching team in implementing Conscious Discipline curriculum.
• Complete monthly progress reports regarding children with Implementation and Interim Plans.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bilingual in English and Spanish - must be able to read, write, and speak both languages
• High School Diploma or G.E.D required.
• Minimum of 6 credit hours in Early Childhood Development Preferred.
• Child Development Associate or Associate Degree in Education preferred.
• Minimum of one to two years of experience working with children with disabilities and/or challenging behavior in an early childhood or childcare program.
• 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).
• Ability to learn and implement Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Commitment to learning and applying strategies to support children with mental health, behavioral, and developmental needs.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous learning.
• Demonstrate capacity to apply knowledge, strategies, and instructional practices gained through professional development.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of and willingness to follow established child development and early childhood education principles and practices.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing classroom assignments and transition between classrooms throughout the day.

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: $19.14 - $21.70

Our generous benefit plan includes

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & 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.