Pre-K Lead Teacher

Kiddie Academy; Illinois; On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Professional development days

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Childcare discount

Competitive wages

Positive work environment

Supportive management

Continuing education

Job summary

Kiddie Academy of Gurnee, IL is seeking a caring Pre-K Lead Teacher to implement the Life Essentials curriculum, support school readiness, and promote independence, collaboration, and leadership in young learners.

You will design engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons, foster curiosity and a positive classroom, and partner with families through regular updates while mentoring Assistant Teachers and upholding Illinois DCFS licensing and health/safety standards.

Qualifications

• Must have one of the following educational qualifications: CDA credential, Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, or 60 college credits including 6 in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
• Experience in early education and a sincere commitment to nurturing children are preferred.
• Ability to create a positive, structured learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Design engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Implement Life Essentials curriculum to support school readiness and independence.
• Foster curiosity, confidence, and leadership in young learners.
• Partner with families through regular communication and progress updates.
• Mentor Assistant Teachers and model professionalism.
• Ensure compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing standards and health and safety procedures.

Education

CDA credential

Associate’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

60 college credits, incl. 6 in ECE

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

The Pre-K Lead Teacher plays a vital role in creating a classroom where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn. This position is responsible for implementing Kiddie Academy’s Life Essentials® curriculum to support school readiness and promote independence, collaboration, and leadership in young learners.

In this role, you will design and deliver engaging, developmentally appropriate lesson plans that strengthen early literacy, math readiness, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills. You will foster curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning while maintaining a structured, organized, and positive classroom environment. The Pre-K Lead Teacher also builds strong partnerships with families through consistent communication and progress updates, mentors Assistant Teachers, models professionalism, and ensures full compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing standards and all health and safety procedures.

Qualifications

Kiddie Academy of Gurnee is seeking loving, experienced, and compassionate Lead Teachers for our Pre-K classroom. We are looking for dedicated educators who are committed to providing high-quality educational childcare while fostering early childhood development in a structured, nurturing, and engaging learning environment.

The ideal candidate will have relevant educational experience, a sincere commitment to nurturing young children, and meet one of the following educational qualifications:

• Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• 60 college credits, including 6 credits in Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Are you passionate about supporting children as they reach key developmental milestones? Do you take pride in creating a positive and enriching classroom experience? If so, we invite you to apply and become part of our professional early education team.

Benefits

• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• 2 paid professional development days per year
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with matching
• Childcare discount
• Competitive wages
• Positive working environment
• Supportive Management Team
• Company-paid continuing education classes and professional training