Infant-ToddlerTwos Assistant Teacher

Chicago state university; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago State University seeks an IT2 Assistant Teacher to deliver developmentally appropriate curriculum for infants and toddlers (3 months to 3 years). Under teamwork, plan activities, support screenings, and engage families through visits and conferences.

Responsibilities include supporting daily routines, maintaining a safe classroom, and ensuring compliance with licensing and Head Start/DCFS standards; opportunity to lead briefly in the lead teacher's absence.

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 DCFS credentials can be reviewed at: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/089/089004070D01400R.html
• Observing children and documenting developmental progress to support ongoing assessments.
• Contribute to development screenings and assessments with the teaching team.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the lead teacher to plan and implement curriculum for children aged 3 months to 3 years.
• Deliver high-quality early care and learning experiences supporting social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development.
• Foster warm, responsive relationships with children through nurturing interactions and routines.
• Assist with daily classroom routines including feeding, diapering, toileting, napping and transitions.
• Maintain a safe, healthy, developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Ensure compliance with licensing, funding and accreditation standards.
• Participate in family engagement activities such as home visits and conferences.
• Communicate respectfully with families to support learning and development.
• Prepare classroom materials and learning centers reflecting planned curriculum.
• May be assigned as temporary team lead in the lead's absence.

Skills

Curriculum planning

Child development observation

Family engagement

Communication with families

Education

60 sem/90 qtr hours

IL Gateway Level 4 IT credential

Associate Degree in ECE/Child Development

Infant-Toddler CDA (optional)

Tools

None

Job description

The IT2 Assistant Teacher position works in a collaborative co-teaching team model to provide high quality early care and learning experiences to children 3 months - 3 years old. In this role the person under the guidance of the teams lead plans and implements curriculum. Supports the implementation and completion of child development screenings and assessments. Engage in all family engagement activities such as home visits, conferences, etc. Adhere, to all licensing, funding and accreditation standards and compliance. Maintain, a safe, health nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment.

Job Description

Job Duties – Assistant Teacher (Infant/Toddler/Two-Year-Old Classroom)

• Collaborate with the lead teacher and co‑teaching team to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily learning activities for children ages 3 months to 3 years.
• Support the delivery of high-quality early care and learning experiences that promote children’s social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
• Assist in observing children and documenting developmental progress to support ongoing assessments and child development screenings.
• Contribute to the implementation and completion of required child development screenings and assessments in collaboration with the teaching team.
• Foster warm, responsive relationships with children through nurturing interactions, positive guidance, and attentive care giving routines.
• Assist with daily classroom routines including feeding, diapering, toileting, napping, and transitions while promoting children’s independence and well‑being.
• Maintain a safe, clean, healthy, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that supports active learning and exploration.
• Ensure all classroom practices comply with licensing regulations, program funding requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Support family engagement by participating in activities such as parent conferences, home visits, and family events as directed by the teaching team.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with families to support children’s learning and development.
• Prepare and organize classroom materials, learning centers, and activities that reflect the planned curriculum.
• Work collaboratively with team members and program staff to maintain consistent classroom practices and a positive learning environment.
• Participate in required training, meetings, and professional development opportunities to enhance early childhood teaching practices.
• Follow program policies and procedures related to health, safety, supervision, and child protection.
• May be assigned as the temporary team lead in absence of the lead.
• Other duties as assigned an appropriate to the overall success of the program.

Minimum Qualifications

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER 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 (KSAs)

• physical examination as required by Illinois Child Care Act for employees in child care facilities
• personal attributes required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for all child care personnel

Preferred Qualifications

60 semester or 90 quarter hours (from accredited college or university) With 6 semester or 9 quarter credit hours in ECE , child development ot related course work. Must have or be working towards a IL Gateway Level 4 IT credential as indicated on IL Gateway PDR . Have at least 1 year experience working with children birth – 5 years old Alternatively:Have a High School/ GED with a valid Infant Toddler CDA. Must have or be working towards a IL Gateway Level 2 IT credential as indicated on IL Gateway PDR . 1 year experience working with children birth – 5 years old. Associate Degree in ECE or Child Development with a Level 4 IL Gateway IT credential. 3 years experience in working with children birth – 5 in a child care or school setting. 1 year experience as an Early Head Start teacher.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Meet all University and DCFS hiring requirements, including background check and -Physical Examination

Follow all IDEC ? DCFS licensing guidelines and Head Start Performance Standards

Attend required training and professional development

Additional Applicant Information

Physical Requirement/ Demands

The role requires significant physical stamina, with long periods of standing, walkingand regularly lifting and moving items. Must be able to physically interact with children, including talk, hear, sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch,or crawl and lift and or move items of up to 40 pounds

Typical early childhood center classroom environment. Classroom are designed to be child centered with child size furnished and equipment per developmentally appropriate per age group. Outdoor spaces with child size equipment and campus walks as permissible per weather and/or safety conditions.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Do you have an Illinois Gateway Infant-Toddler credential?
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you have experience working with young children birth-3 years old?

  (Open Ended Question)

• Do you agree to a IL DCFS background check that includes finger printing, criminal history, child abuse and neglect, sex offender and possible FBI check?
  • Yes
  • No
• Do you have experience working in Early/Head Start?

  (Open Ended Question)