Early Childhood Assistant Teacher - Z Frank Apachi (Part-Time)

JCC Chicago; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 22,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with matching

Life insurance and disability coverage

Vacation and sick time

EAP

Job summary

JCC Chicago in Northbrook, IL is seeking a dynamic Assistant Teacher to join our Z Frank Apachi location starting December 2026. You will support a transitional classroom, helping children build skills and confidence through a developmentally appropriate, play-based program that blends secular and Jewish learning.

As part of a collaborative team of educators, social workers, and specialists, you will foster emotional and cognitive growth, maintain a safe, respectful classroom, and communicate

Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age with a high school degree or GED.
• Demonstrated passion for working with young children.
• Child development experience in preschool or licensed day care is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the safety and welfare of the children by sight and sound.
• Collaborate with teaching team to implement a program that includes elements of the JCC’s integrated secular and Jewish curriculum.
• Provide an atmosphere conducive to emotional and cognitive growth.
• Maintain communication with director, staff, and parents.
• Greet families personally and share information about their child.
• Foster a collaborative, team-focused atmosphere in classroom and site.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings (min 15 hours).
• Ensure compliance with DCFS and Illinois state standards.

Skills

Patience with children

Team collaboration

Communication with families

Education

High school diploma or GED

18+ years old

Job description

Job Details

Posting Details

• Posted on November 9, 2026

Showing 1 location

Locations

• Northbrook, IL 60062, USA
• On-site
• JCC Early Childhood
• Part-Time
• Requisition #: EARLY005428

Description

JCC Chicago is seeking a dynamic, dedicated Assistant Teacher to join our amazing team at our Z Frank Apachi location, starting in December 2026! This position will support a transitional classroom, helping children build the skills and confidence needed for success in their next stage of development. Be part of a team of educators, social workers, and specialists who support the whole child through a developmentally appropriate curriculum that embraces Jewish life and complements what happens at home.

Classrooms are the first community. When we speak about community, we speak about places of sharing, learning, growing and connection. We are committed to excellence, providing strong professional development opportunities and nature-inspired classrooms that allow our staff to be their most creative selves! With our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest DCFS standards, we are looking for those who are enthusiastic about guiding each child to reach their full potential.

Learn more here: Early Childhood Careers at the JCC Chicago

Job Summary

The Assistant Teacher is a critical member of a team of educators, social workers and specialists who support the whole child through a developmentally appropriate curriculum that embraces Jewish life and complements what happens at home.

As a Reggio Emilia inspired Early Childhood program, we support the individual needs and abilities of each of our students through an emergent, play-based curriculum. We are looking for professional educators who are interested in growing with us!

Key areas of responsibility

• Be responsible for the safety and welfare of the children, supervising all children by sight and sound.
• Work with your teaching team to implement a program that includes elements of the JCC’s integrated secular and Jewish curriculum.
• Provide and maintain an atmosphere which is conducive to emotional and cognitive growth.
• Establish and maintain good communication and strong sense of community with director, staff, and parents.
• Make families feel welcome by greeting them personally by name and be able to share specific information regarding their child.
• Foster a collaborative, team-focused atmosphere, both in the classroom, teaching site, and the agency as a whole.
• Actively participate a minimum of 15 hours in staff meetings, trainings, and on-going development opportunities.
• Work with your teaching team to maintain DCFS and Illinois state standards.

Additional responsibilities

• Responsible for contributing to written and photo content of all newsletters, portfolios, and mass communications to classroom families.
• Participates in regular, and meaningful, communication with families, including, but not limited to, in-person conversations/meetings, virtual meetings, emails, Kaymbu communication, bi-yearly parent-teacher conversations, and portfolios.
• Assists in and has a global awareness of all aspects of the teaching position including classroom management, daily tasks, social-emotional needs of children, moving effectively through daily schedule, adjusting to the needs in the classroom.
• Demonstrates awareness of classroom environment, and physically moving through the spaces.
• Assists in classroom set up and preparation of lesson plans created by lead teacher.
• Always maintains respect for children and team.
• Follows and assists in successfully implementing guidelines set forth by the Social Services department when raising any concerns about a child’s development or behavior in a classroom setting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Duties / Physical Duties

• Must be able to lift and move with children (up to 40lbs.)
• Must demonstrate physical stamina and agility including the ability to be mobile for long periods throughout the day.
• Demonstrated ability to move from sitting (on chair or floor) to standing position easily and quickly;
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time and be able to run and be actively engaged physically with children.
• Must be able to respond to emergency situations, moving from sitting to standing, carrying children up to 40lbs and running quickly and effectively.
• Must be able to supervise children by sight and sound.
• Ability and willingness to be in the pool with children participating in swim programs.

Days/Hours

Wednesdays and Fridays 8:45AM - 11:00AM

Position will start December 9, 2026.

Job Category

Union Professional

Salary Range

$16.32 to $25.50

Education Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age with a high school degree or GED.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated passion for working with young children.
• Child development experience in a preschool, kindergarten or licensed day care program, from birth to age six preferred.

Employee Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Participation in a retirement plan with matching contributions
• Life insurance and short/long term disability coverage
• Vacation time, sick time, and paid observance of secular and Jewish religious holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

*Part time staff may be eligible for some benefits such as sick time and vacation time, depending on number of hours worked.

Uniquely JCC Benefits

• Free fitness membership at JCC Chicago community centers and aquatics facilities
• Meaningful discounts on JCC Chicago programming, including day and overnight camp, Early Childhood, and event rentals
• Professional development opportunities with the JUF/Jewish Federation
• Tuition Assistance Program

#INDLP

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.