Child Development Associate, CDL

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan (SURS)

Health & dental coverage

Vision & life insurance

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is hiring a full-time Civil Service Child Development Associate (CDL) to implement the total childcare program. You will work in a three-teacher team under supervision, supporting development across cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains while communicating with families and contributing to research activities.

Minimum qualifications include Illinois DCFS credentials for a licensed center.

Qualifications

• Credential required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for employment as a Child Care Worker.
• Able to work as part of a three-teacher team and cooperate with staff.
• Wage and appointment details align with Civil Service 0497 classification.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning and carry out activities promoting intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of children.
• Maintain daily communication with parents regarding child's condition and schedule.
• Under supervision, prepare growth/development reports for parent-teacher conferences.
• Care for classroom equipment and materials and perform housekeeping tasks.
• Cooperate with research activities and participate in staff meetings.

Skills

Communication with parents

Team collaboration

Observation skills

Safety awareness

Education

DCFS credentials for Child Care Worker

Job description

Child Development Associate, CDL

Department of Human Development and Family Studies

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders.

Be a part of our story. For 75 years, the CDL has been preparing young children for success by offering play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum, designed at the classroom level to meet the needs and interests of the children enrolled. The CDL facilitates student observations of children, allows select research/teaching projects to occur at the school, and serves as a center for teacher training. Since it opened, more than 4,000 children and 84,000 University of Illinois students have benefited from teaching and learning opportunities at the CDL. When you join the CDL team, you are joining a legacy of leadership that has impacted thousands of lives. You will join a collegial atmosphere where teachers are truly supported not only through promotion opportunities, but also in daily operation support. Be part of a three-teacher team that allows you the flexibility and freedom to be creative in your teaching approach.

THERE ARE BENEFITS TO BELONGING TO OUR TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

Benefits-eligible employees participate in a comprehensive set of State of Illinois and University of Illinois group benefit programs. This position will participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) retirement plan with an employer contribution. State group insurance benefits and extended coverage for eligible dependents is available. The State of Illinois covers much of the cost of health and dental coverage, and all of the cost of vision and basic life insurance equal to your annual salary. Other optional benefits such as additional term life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and long-term disability are available.

This position will have paid time off. There are nine designated paid holidays plus two floating holidays yearly. This position may earn up to twelve days of vacation per year. Up to twelve paid sick leave days will be available to care for yourself, a member of your household or other eligible family member. Paid parental leave up to six weeks per academic year, immediately following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child will be available. Other paid time off includes bereavement, military duty, and jury duty.

This position is eligible for a tuition waiver benefit to continue your education. Release time from work to continue your education may be arranged. Employees with at least seven years of service can apply for a 50% tuition waiver for dependent children.

The Faculty/Staff Assistance services provides personal, professional, and confidential assistance to staff and their household members experiencing problems that interfere with work or well-being.

See go.uillinois.edu/BenefitHighlights for additional details.

Job Summary

Participate in the implementation of the total childcare program of the facility, working in cooperation with other Associates and under general supervision from higher-level personnel.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Curriculum
  • Participate in planning and carry out appropriate activities promoting the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of the children in accordance with licensing requirements and NAEYC standards.
  • Maintain daily communication and cooperation with parents of children (such as child's mental and physical condition, changes in daily schedule, or child's participation in activities).
  • Under the supervision and with the support of the Head Teacher, prepare reports on the growth and development of assigned children in preparation for parent-teacher conferences.
  • Care for classroom equipment and materials and performs necessary housekeeping tasks.
  • Cooperate with research activities by providing information or directing the children to participate in a requested activity.
  • Participate in staff meetings with higher level personnel and work cooperatively with other staff members.
• Daily Caregiving
  • Supervise children to safeguard their health and safety.
  • Provide for the physical needs of the children (such as supervising feeding, dressing, naps, and other activities).
• Adult Supervision
  • Participate in training and evaluation of student staff.
  • Substitute for higher level personnel, if needed and qualified.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Work outdoors occasionally.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of credentials required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for employment as a Child Care Worker in a licensed child care facility. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services required credentials can be reviewed at: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/089/089004070D01400R.html

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 1. Staff shall be able to demonstrate the skill and competence necessary to contribute to each child's physical, intellectual, personal, emotional, and social development. Factors contributing to the attainment of this standard include:
  • a) Emotional maturity when working with children;
  • b) Cooperation with the purposes and services of the program;
  • c) Respect for children and adults;
  • d) Flexibility, understanding and patience;
  • e) Physical (includes frequent bending & stooping, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, balancing, keyboarding, squatting, crawling, crouching, lifting up to 35 pounds with occasional weights up to 50 pounds) and mental health that do not interfere with child care responsibilities;
  • f) Good personal hygiene;
  • g) Frequent interaction with children;
  • h) Listening skills, availability and responsiveness to children;
  • i) Sensitivity to children's socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and individual needs and capabilities;
  • j) Use of positive discipline and guidance techniques; and
  • k) Ability to provide an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in play, recreation and other activities.
• 2. Child care staff shall generally demonstrate skill and competence necessary to assume direct responsibility for child care including:
  • a) Skills to help children meet their developmental and emotional needs;
  • b) Skills in planning, directing, and conducting programs that meet the children's basic needs; and
  • c) Ability to communicate effectively to respond appropriately to others' needs and concerns, including communicating with parents about each child's growth and development.
• 3. Ability to supervise persons assigned to assist their group who are not similarly qualified.
• 4. Child care staff shall have the ability to participate in activities leading to professional growth in child development and education, and in training related to the specific needs of the children served.

Additional information can be found at https://cdl.illinois.edu

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 0497 - Child Development Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 8/17/2026. The collective bargaining agreement sets a wage of $35,470.50. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. Out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver's License or state of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment. Work for this position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 21, 2026.

The adveritsement will remain live as long as at least one vacancy exists. For more information about this specific position, please contact Meghan Redeker at [e-mail] or [phone]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

Record of a current medical examination on a form prescribed by the Department is required.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 1037560

Job Category: Technical

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu