Pre-K Assistant Teacher

Chicago state university; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Other benefits

Job summary

Chicago State University seeks a Pre-K Assistant Teacher to work with children aged 3 to 5 in a collaborative, co-teaching setting. You will plan and implement the curriculum under team guidance, support screenings, and engage families through home visits and conferences.

The role emphasizes adherence to licensing, funding, and accreditation standards while maintaining a safe, nurturing classroom that supports active learning and development. Hours: 37.5 per week.

Qualifications

• Possession of credentials required by Illinois DCFS for employment as a Child Care Worker in a licensed facility.
• KSAs include ability to observe, document development, and conduct screenings.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with lead teacher to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum for ages 3–5.
• Support delivery of high-quality early care and learning experiences that promote development.
• Assist in observing children and documenting progress for assessments.
• Contribute to required child development screenings in collaboration with the team.
• Foster warm, responsive relationships and supervise children attentively.
• Assist with daily routines including meals, toileting, and transitions.
• Ensure a safe, clean, healthy classroom environment compliant with licensing and accreditation.

Skills

Head Start experience

Co-teaching

Curriculum planning

Family engagement

Education

Associate Degree in ECE/Child Development

IL Gateway Level 4 ECE credential

Job description

Experience working with preschool-age children in a center or school based setting. Knowledge and experiences with Head Start and/or Illinois Preschool for All. Illinois Gateway ECE credential

Hours Per Week 37.5

Standard Work Week

Standard Work Week Monday-Friday

This position is eligible for health, dental, life insurance and other benefits through Chicago State University.

Job Summary

The Pre-K Assistant Teacher position works in a collaborative co-teaching team model to provide high quality early care and learning experiences to children 3 years - 5 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

• Collaborate with the lead teacher as a co-teaching team to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and daily learning activities for children ages 3 years to 5 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 active supervision.
• Assist with daily classroom routines including meals, toileting, tooth brushing 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.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with families, colleagues, internal and external stakeholders to support children’s learning and development and a positive program environment.
• 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 trainings, meetings, and professional development opportunities to enhance early childhood teaching practices.
• Follow program policies and procedures related to health, safety, supervision, and child protection and employee standard of conduct.
• Temporarily serve as team lead in absence of the lead twacher.
• 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

Possess:

• Associate Degree in ECE or Child Development with a Level 4 IL Gateway ECE credential. 2 years experience in working with children birth - 5 in a child care or school setting.

OR

• 60 semester or 90 quarter hours (from accredited college or university) With 6 semester or 9 quarter credit hours in ECE , child development or related course work. Must have or be working towards a IL Gateway Level 4 ECE credential as indicated on IL Gateway PDR . Have at least 2 years experience working with children birth - 5 years old

Alternatively:

• Have a High School/ GED with a valid Preschool CDA . Must have or be working towards a IL Gateway Level 2 ECE credential as indicated on IL Gateway PDR . 2 year experience working with children birth - 5 years old.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 1 year experience as an Head Start teaching staff.
• 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
• Knowledge and experience with Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment.
• Attend required training and professional development

Additional Applicant Information

Physical Requirement/ Demands

The role requires significant physical stamina, with long periods of standing, walking and 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
Work Environment 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

Typical center based preschool setting including outdoor playground area.