Preschool Teacher - Chicago, IL

Right At School; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Pet health discounts

Physical wellness insurance

401(k) with company match

Legal services & identity protection

Childcare discounts

NAA membership

TicketsAtWork perks

Cell phone discounts

Job summary

Right At School in Chicago is seeking a Preschool Teacher for the 2026-2027 school year to support before and after school programs for students, delivering engaging, age-appropriate activities in a safe, structured setting.

You will plan and facilitate daily activities, align with program goals, and foster a nurturing environment that promotes a love of learning while maintaining strong communication with families and school staff.

Qualifications

• Must be 19+ years of age.
• Proof of High School diploma or GED.
• State-specific requirements for child care education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Review goals and updates in daily program meetings.
• Organize and facilitate daily activities and curriculum, ensuring alignment with program objectives.
• Lead by example, maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for children.
• Prioritize safety and joy; document attendance, incidents, and observations.
• Communicate effectively with children, parents, staff, and school personnel.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Physical ability

Love of learning

Flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

60 semester hours of coursework in child development

1 year (1,560 clock hours) of child development experience + 30 sem hours in related courses

ECE Credential Level 3 or higher

Infant Toddler Credential Level 3 or higher

Job description

NOW HIRING FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

Right At School – a place to be a kid!

Preschool Teacher

Right At School provides local school districts before and after school extended day programs with a focus on disguised learning activities and daily enrichment dedicated to the success of all students!

Right At School's mission emphasizes a commitment to inspire a love of learning, support schools, and give families peace of mind. We do this by building a team of mission-driven individuals, who are passionate about fostering a love of learning and creating safe, engaging experiences for children. Our vision is to bring exceptional, affordable programs to as many students, families, and schools as possible while providing a safe environment for children to explore and grow.

Educator Pay Rate: $20.00 - $23.00/hr (based on education and experience)

Program Hours: Monday through Friday, Before School, 7:00 am - 9:00 am and/or After School, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. The exact schedule and hours are based on the business need.

You’ll Drive The Mission By

• Daily Program Meetings: Each day, review goals and updates, share ideas, discuss professional progress, encourage collaboration, and team accountability.
• Organize and Facilitate Daily Activities: Prepare activities and curriculum for the day, ensuring they align with the program’s objectives. Organize and lead structured daily fitness, activities, and curriculum; that are both educational and enjoyable for all ages.
• Leading by Example: Maintain a safe and nurturing environment, ensuring children are enjoying themselves while also meeting program goals. You will achieve this by modeling positive guidance and effective classroom management.
• Prioritize Safety and Joy: Monitor the environment, address potential hazards, and follow all safety protocols. These may include documenting attendance, incidents, and other observations.
• Communication: Effective communication with a varied audience, including children, parents, staff, and school personnel.

Ideal Candidates Will Have The Following

• Outstanding customer service and relationship-building skills
• Works well in a team environment
• Ability to lift 25lbs
• Drive to inspire a love for learning and commitment to healthy living
• Flexibility to support additional local programs as needed

Available Locations:

• Audubon School West Campus
• Bernhard Moos Elementary
• Budlong Elementary
• Montessori Inter-American Magnet
• Inter-American Magnet
• John M. Palmer Elementary
• Jonathan Y. Scammon Elementary
• National Teachers Academy
• Oscar Mayer Magnet
• Sauganash Elementary
• South Loop Preschool
• William H. Ray Elementary
• Drummond Elementary

Requirements

• 19+ years of age
• Proof of High School diploma/GED required AND
• Ability to meet state-specific requirements defined as; 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; or
  • One year (1,560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center and 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester or nine quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; or
  • Completion of one of the following credentialing programs
    • Child Development Associate Credential (Council for Professional Recognition); or
    • Certified Childcare Professional (National Early Childhood Program Accreditation) (NECPA)); or
    • Gateways to Opportunity Credentials:
      • Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Credential Level 3 or higher; or
      • The Infant Toddler Credential (ITC) Level 3 or higher.
• First Aid and CPR-in‑person (ability to obtain within 30 days of employment)
• Cleared tuberculosis test (ability to obtain within 30 days of employment)

Benefits Offered With Right At School

• Health & Wellness: Medical/Virtual Care, Dental and Vision Insurance Plans
• Pet Health: Pet discount programs and pet insurance
• Physical Wellness: Supplemental Insurance (e.g. Short & Long Term Disability)
• Financial Wellness: 401(k) with Company match & free financial coaching
• Protection & Support: Legal service, identity theft, and Transit/parking savings plans, Employee Assistance Program
• Childcare: Free or discounted enrollment in our before/after school programs is offered to Right At School team members within participating facilities
• Additional Perks: Free NAA Professional Membership, TicketsAtWork Perks Program, and Cell phone discounts
• All benefits and perks available, have their own eligibility criteria that must be met.

Right At School is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.