$2,000 Hiring Bonus for external candidates (50% after 90 days of employment and 50% after one year of employment). Salary begins at $43,800 (annualized) based on background and experience.

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), has been a local, state and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve learning and life outcomes for children and families, including reducing the effects of poverty. IAFC works to ensure that every child in Illinois – particularly those in need – have access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and in life.

Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

Under the direction of the Partner Quality Coach, the Infant Toddler Teacher takes the lead in working with the entire classroom team to implement a formal child screening process, a researched-based curriculum, on-going child assessment, parent involvement and community collaboration.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement, communication, competent people and clear priorities. All work to be completed with minimum supervision and in accordance with organizational standards.

Benefits of Working at IAFC:

• Working with passionate team members that are driven by our Mission: Illinois Action for Children is a catalyst for organizing, developing and supporting strong families and powerful communities where children matter most.
• We strive to foster and implement a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. We know it is not only critical to the success of diversity initiatives - but instrumental in creating an unbiassed and inclusive workplace! It not only relates to the diverse clients we serve but also creates a positive employee experience.

We offer an extensive benefits package that adds value to your total compensation. Our benefits include:

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage
• 401k with company match
• Generous PTO – first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• STD & LTD insurance
• Company paid Life Insurance

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

• Utilizes developmental screening tools to determine individual needs of children.
• Implements active supervision of children at all times and ensures child safety.
• Teaches children in large groups, small groups, and individually. Teaches each class daily as scheduled and assigned. Works with the classroom team to implement the curriculum, serving as educational leader, and modeling excellent teaching practices. Convenes meetings of the classroom team each week to develop lesson plans, child assessment results and develops individualized instruction plans. Completes regular assessments of each child’s learning in Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Participates in Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSP) meetings for children with special needs as requested by parents/guardian.
• Maintains a comprehensive and ongoing education file for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child’s work, and a developmental assessment.
• Maintains a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assures that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained and stored.
• Performs duties of Director Designee, when required.
• Represents Illinois Action for Children and the Early Learning Program in a professional manner to parents, visitors, community members and vendors.
• Executes our workplace core capabilities of: accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people and clear priorities. Independently works on multiple tasks effectively in support of department. The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or equivalent. Equivalent degrees require a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in Early Childhood Education or Child Development courses. At least two years of Early Childhood teaching experience is required. Infant/Toddler staff must also have coursework or training relevant to this age group.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must hold or obtain within six months a Gateways Level 5 Infant Toddler or ECE Credential.

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.

This position will work in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. IL Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer.