Lead Teacher - Birth to Three

Marillac St. Vincent; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Marillac St. Vincent in Chicago is looking for a Lead Teacher for birth-to-three programs. The role involves leading a teaching team to develop individualized educational plans focused on children's growth and development. Candidates should have an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and three years of relevant teaching experience.

Responsibilities include ensuring paperwork accuracy, maintaining student data, and collaborating with families. Strong leadership skills and proficiency in English are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Three years of teaching experience with children ages birth to 3 years.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 15 months to 3 years.
• Three years of experience in an early-childhood setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a small teaching team for individualized educational plans.
• Ensure accurate completion of all classroom paperwork.
• Maintain accurate data entry into the Teaching Strategies Gold system.

Skills

Relationship building

Leadership skills

Knowledge of Creative Curriculum

Proficiency in English

Education

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Bachelor's degree in ECE or Child Development (preferred)

Tools

Teaching Strategies Gold

Job description

Job Title: Lead Teacher - Birth-Three

Organization: Marillac St. Vincent Family Services

Position Status: Full Time, 40 hours per week, Non‑Exempt (FLSA)

Division / Department: Marillac Social Center – Early Childhood Programs

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a small teaching team to plan and implement individualized educational plans for children ages birth through 3 years, encouraging social, emotional, physical, and language development.
• Ensure accurate completion of all classroom paperwork and timely submission to the manager.
• Maintain weekly accurate data entry into the Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) system.
• Create a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment enriched by high‑quality language experiences with an emphasis on social and emotional growth.
• Implement program requirements in compliance with funding partner performance standards, NAEYC core components, and Illinois Early Learning Guidelines.
• Schedule and conduct home visits and parent‑teacher conferences as required.
• Coach Teacher Assistants, Foster Grandparents, and Child Development students, modeling developmentally appropriate practice and providing guidance, feedback, and performance reviews.
• Develop and sustain collaborative staff goal‑setting, including curriculum development, child assessments, observations, and family engagement.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings and document all observations and program data.
• Ensure daily attendance and meal participation reports are completed and accurate.
• Maintain confidential education information for each child and protect all sensitive records.
• Assist in the assessment of strengths and challenges, developing annual goals with supervisors and directors.
• Input classroom data into information systems and monitor program documentation compliance.
• Observe, assess, and document each child’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development; document individualized education plans.
• Identify developmental concerns and follow agency protocol.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities promoting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• Collaborate with the birth‑to‑3 manager to implement the educational plan and integrate assessment results into curriculum and lesson planning.
• Create and maintain a positive, secure learning environment that meets state and local licensing regulations, NAEYC performance standards, and St. Vincent’s philosophy.
• Oversee classroom safety, health, and cleanliness, ensuring early child care policies and procedures are documented.
• Coordinate parent involvement, scheduling at least two parent‑teacher conferences per child and engaging families through events and educational activities.
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, mentoring, and coaching sessions; contribute to teacher meetings and training sessions.
• Track utilization of materials, recommend supplies and equipment, and provide classroom coverage as needed to maintain teacher‑to‑child ratios.
• Prepare required documentation for monthly State Pre‑K reports and complete other assigned duties within the scope of the job description.
• Complete a minimum of 20 CEUs annually focused on infant and toddler education to meet DCFS and accreditation requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) with Level 4 IT credential and Level 5 ECE credential required.
• Bachelor’s degree in ECE or Child Development preferred; membership in Gateways desirable.
• Three (3) years of teaching experience with children ages birth to 3 years.
• Three (3) years of experience in an early‑childhood setting.
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 15 months to 3 years.
• Ability to build respectful, trustworthy relationships with families, co‑teachers, and Teacher Assistants.
• Strong leadership skills to ensure accurate and timely paperwork.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Physical Demands

Requirements related to the physical demands of the position are determined by the Agency in collaboration with the employee and occupation manager.