Bilingual Spanish Teacher Assistant, Head Start

Start Early; Beach Park (IL); On-site; USD 44,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Plans

Diversity & Inclusion

Holistic Wellness Program

401k Contribution

Paid Volunteer Days

6 months paid parental leave

Professional Development

Job summary

Start Early in Beach Park, IL is seeking a Teacher Assistant to support a Preschool Certified Teacher and nurture 3- to 5-year-olds in a warm, compliant classroom.

You will implement Creative Curriculum, use assessments, conduct conferences, and partner with families, while following Head Start and licensing guidelines. This role offers a competitive base salary and a strong benefits package.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in ECE/CD or equivalent required.
• 1 year of experience in an early childhood program preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish/English required to communicate with families and colleagues.
• Proficiency with basic computer applications and adaptable to new software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with diverse families.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Preschool Certified Teacher to develop and monitor child education binders.
• Create a vibrant classroom environment guided by ECERS and CLASS concepts.
• Participate in lesson planning and implement Creative Curriculum.
• Use assessments and observations to design developmentally appropriate activities.
• Schedule two parent-teacher conferences and one home visit per year.
• Follow IEPs/IFSPs and IHCPs as directed by Education Managers.
• Incorporate children’s interests and cultures into learning activities.
• Ensure safety per licensing standards and Head Start guidelines.
• Monitor progress and report developmental concerns per agency protocols.
• Assist in lead teacher absence with classroom management and documentation.
• Attend required meetings and professional development sessions.
• Participate in recruitment to maintain enrollment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Strong communication

Computer literacy

Collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Confidential information handling

Education

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD)

Birth-5 CDA credential (or willingness to obtain with employer support)

Job description

Description

We are hiring in Beach Park, 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.

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 Assistant works closely with the Preschool Certified Teacher to create a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports the developmental needs of young children in accordance with federal, state, and local standards for 3-5 year olds. The ideal candidate is passionate about early childhood education and committed to fostering positive self-images and experiences of success for all children.

As Part Of Our Teaching Team You Will

• Collaborate: Work closely with the Preschool Certified Teacher and Team to develop, maintain and monitor individual child education binders, ensuring all confidential information is protected. Follow Education timeline in accordance with program regulations.
• Inspire Learning: Assist in creating a vibrant classroom environment based on ECERS guidelines and integrate CLASS concepts into daily teacher child interactions and routines, aligning with the IELDSs/Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
• Lesson Planning: Active participation in lesson planning sessions and assisting with the implementation of the researched-based Creative Curriculum practices.
• Tailor Learning: Complete required program documentation and submit to Preschool Certified Teacher. Utilize child assessments, screening results and observation data to design developmentally appropriate experiences that promote social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development for every child.
• Create Lasting Connections: Schedule and conduct two parent-teacher conferences and home visits each year, building strong relationships and partnerships with families to support children’s growth. Participate in Family Child Reviews.
• Inclusive Practices: Adhere to Individualized Education Programs and Family Service Plans, and/or Individualized Health Care Plans (IHCPs) as directed by Education Managers or Consultants.
• Champion Diversity: Incorporate children’s interests, cultures, and school readiness goals into individualized and group learning opportunities, celebrating the richness of our community.
• Ensure Safety: Adhere to state licensing standards, Head Start guidelines, and ISBE regulations by implementing active supervision strategies to ensure the safety of all children, ensuring that no child is ever left alone or unattended. Implement positive discipline guidance in the classroom to create a safe and nurturing environment that encourages positive interactions.
• Monitor Progress: Support with observations and document each child’s health, skills, and development, helping curriculum planning sessions to set clear learning objectives based on findings. In collaboration with classroom teacher, identify developmental concerns regarding children and follow agency protocols for reporting.
• Stay Compliant: Adhere to all Head Start/Preschool For All regulations, DCFS State licensing standards, Standards of Conduct and Start Early philosophy, ensuring a high-quality educational experience. Monitor and ensure daily attendance, health checks, parent sign/scan in, and meal participation reports are completed.
• Collaborative Team Environment: Assume the Lead Teacher’s responsibilities in their absence, including management of the classroom and delegation of child development and documentation tasks. This entails keeping the classroom environment, ensuring organization, and addressing the diaper or potty-training requirements of the children as necessary.
• Staff Development: Attend and actively participate in required meetings, training, data dialogues and reflective supervision.
• Recruitment Efforts: Participate in recruitment activities to maintain full enrollment in the program, engaging with families in the community to spread awareness about the benefits of the program offerings.
• Training and Professional Development: Take part in continuous professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills in supporting children’s school readiness goals. This includes ongoing reflective supervision, all staff meetings, pre-service training and other required training sessions during professional development days.
• Perform other duties as assigned, adhering to all relevant regulations and agency policies.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD)

Or

• Associate’s degree (in an unrelated field) and will need to complete Birth-5 Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. 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 1 year experience working in an early childhood program.
• Bilingual Spanish/English required. Must be able to effectively speak, read, and write in both English and Spanish to communicate effectively with children, families, and colleagues.
• 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.

Base Annual Salary: $43,524.00 - $ 45,766.50 + $3,000.00 Sign On Bonus

We believe that all employees should be paid fairly. As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

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.