Job Description

Do you want a career that impacts the community? Do you have a desire to work somewhere that changes children’s lives?

Join Chicago Youth Centers as we serve over 3,000 children and families each year!

Title: Teacher (0-3)

Company: Chicago Youth Centers (CYC)

Website: chicagoyouthcenters.org

Compensation: $40,000 - $52,000

Classification: Full Time; Exempt

Reports to: Childcare Director

Supervisor Responsibilities: No

Location: CYC George E. Taylor Center at 3232 W. Division St (Chicago, IL)

Schedule: 8:30a - 5:00p; Monday - Friday; schedule varies depending on program needs

The Early Head Start Teacher (0-3) is responsible for providing developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervision of children assigned in the classroom, providing a supportive and positive classroom climate, implement the Gold Assessment and creative curriculum, administer developmental screenings, conduct home visits and parent conferences, refer children with disabilities for children ages 15 months-3 years old. Participate and attend family engagement activities and parent meetings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide a positive climate, responsive care giving and continuity to help children develop secure relationships while focusing on the children’s social and emotional well-being.
• Work with assigned group of toddlers and two’s, applying best practices for care and physical safety.
• Facilitate and nurture the development of each child’s self-esteem, trust and growing autonomy.
• Complete developmental and social-emotional screenings on children.
• Develop weekly lesson plans inclusive of individualization for children.
• Refer children with special needs to the Family Service Associate and Inclusion Manager
• Integrate and assist children with special needs utilizing child IFSP.
• Partner with families and encourage parent involvement through a variety of methods (e.g. classroom parent meetings & events and parent/child home activities).
• Obtain families’ social-cultural background information and designs meaningful learning experiences for children based on their findings.
• Schedule and conduct at least two Home Visits and two Parent/Teacher Conferences annually for each child, each program year to discuss with parents regarding their children’s development and behavior. Also, due to attendance problems.
• Maintain awareness and supervision of the needs of the entire classroom; and ensure routines such as diapering, toileting/training, hand washing, meals are handled promptly and consistently with state and local regulations.
• Follow a consistent schedule that meets the individual needs of each child, including skill development, meals, napping and effective transition between activities.
• Respond quickly and appropriately to children’s different and personal needs (verbal and non-verbal cues) and temperament styles.
• Engage and guide children at play, meeting them at their physical level (kneeling, bending, or sitting on the floor).
• Complete at least thirty clock hours of professional development annually, through participation in offered trainings, workshops, in-service days, all staff conferences; and maintain log of professional development achievements, including documents supporting completion.
• Participate and support agency/center efforts toward recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of eligible families.
• Other duties as assigned to fulfill the mission of the program and agency needs

Willing to embrace and demonstrate CYC’s Mantras:

• ATTITUDE MATTERS - Positivity begins with me. My attitude has the power to influence my environment and inspire those around me. I aim to be enthusiastic, optimistic, and kind—even when things get hard.
• CARE FOR REAL - I will take every opportunity to show that I truly care. I commit to serving children and families, my co-workers and my community. I will think, care and act in a respectful manner to uplift and support others.
• OWN IT - I will never say, “That’s not my job.” When I see something that needs to be done, I will assign myself and do it. I will make a commitment to carry out my job responsibilities and assignments with consistency, dependability, and respect.
• PUSH FORWARD - I will be determined and progressive in thought and action. I will press on when problems arise and find innovative ways to solve issues. I will continuously learn and be open to the ideas of others.

EOE/MVF

Requirements

• Associate or Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education w/2 Infant Toddler Courses
• Infant/Toddler CDA or 120 credit hours in Infant Toddler (if there is no Bachelor or AA degree)
• Must possess at a minimum level 2 ECE/ IT Gateways Credential
• By 2024, obtain Gateways to Opportunity Infant Toddler Credential Level 5

Additional Experience

• 1 years of EHS classroom experience in a NAEYC accredited or Head Start classroom
• Fluency in English and Spanish languages
• Experience in implementation of early childhood curriculum (Creative Curriculum) and developmentally appropriate practice for the specific age group
• Experience in child observation, assessment and documenting child’s skills, growth and development.
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Strong communications skills (verbal and written)
• CPR/ First Aid certified