Teacher Assistant Infant-Toddler-Two (IT2)

Chicago state university; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Chicago State University invites applicants for a Teacher Assistant IT2 in the Infant-Toddler program. This full-time position supports a collaborative co‑teaching team creating high-quality care and learning experiences for children aged 3 months to 3 years, under team guidance.

The role involves curriculum planning, progress observations, family engagement, and adherence to licensing, funding, and accreditation standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Possession of credentials required by Illinois DCFS for employment as a Child Care Assistant.

Responsibilities

• 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 caregiving 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 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.
• 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

DCFS credential for Child Care Assistant

Job description

Teacher Assistant Infant-Toddler-Two (IT2)

Working Title Teacher Assistant Infant-Toddler-Two (IT2)

Salary Range

Salary Range $20.51 Per Hour

Employee Class

Department

Department Office of the Dean of Education

Full-time/ Part-time

Full-time/ Part-time Full-time

Early Childhood Education Infant-Toddler development, care and teaching knowledge and experience.

The Teacher Assistant IT2 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 caregiving 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 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.
• 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

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Possession of credentials required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for employment as a Child Care Assistant.

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 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, walking
between the kitchen and classrooms, 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 50 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 (*).

• What is the highest level of education attained?
  • GED
  • High School Diploma
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree
  • PHD
• How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
  • 0-1
  • 1-3
  • 3-5
  • 5-7
  • 7+
• Do you have an Illinois Gateway Infant-Toddler credential?
  • Yes
  • No
• 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 with young children birth-3 years old?

  (Open Ended Question)