Inclusion Aide

Start Early; Beach Park (IL); On-site; USD 2,472,792 - 2,847,499; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Plans

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Wellness Program

Professional Development Program

401k Contribution

Paid Volunteer Days

Parental leave

Job summary

Start Early Lake County in Lake County, IL seeks an Inclusion Aide to support students with disabilities, ensuring a safe, inclusive learning environment. You will help with personal care, safety, and adaptation of the daily curriculum under federal, state, and local standards.

Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to implement Individualized plans and Conscious Discipline supports, and assist with documentation, progress reporting, and family communication.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• 6+ credit hours in Early Childhood Development preferred.
• CD Associate or Associate Degree in Education preferred.
• 1–2 years’ experience with disabilities/challenging behavior in early childhood.
• Learn and apply Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Willingness to study child growth theories and early childhood education.
• Willingness to address mental health needs with special needs children.
• Ongoing professional development participation.
• Ability to apply learned strategies from PD.
• Effective communication with parents, staff and community.

Responsibilities

• Provide information to Lead Teacher to assist referrals for children with special needs.
• Maintain a classroom with positive guidance meeting licensing and Head Start standards.
• Collaborate to implement Implementation and Interim plans for needs related to special needs.
• Gather documentation: assessment data, work samples, observations, reports.
• Assist in implementing Conscious Discipline curriculum.
• Complete monthly progress reports for children with implementations.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Good communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Learning mindset

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

6+ credit hours in ECD

CD Associate or Elementary Ed degree

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.

Position

As the Inclusion Aide, you will assist students with disabilities and special needs, including safety, personal care needs, facilitating total inclusion in the daily curriculum and execution of classroom activities. You will help to maintain a classroom environment that is developmentally appropriate, 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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 the 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

• 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.
• Ability to learn and implement Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Willingness to learn about theories and principles of child growth, development and early childhood education.
• Willingness to learn how to address mental health challenges and work with special needs children.
• Willingness to participate in on‑going professional development.
• Ability to implement strategies and instruction gained from professional development.
• Communicate effectively and function well with parents, staff and various professional community groups.
• Good communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow as directed child development and early childhood principles and practices.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high‑risk, low‑income community.
• Ability to be flexible with transitions to different classrooms throughout the day.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.

Salary Range

$17.95 - $20.67 per hour

Benefits

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

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.