Child Care Teacher

Child Care Center Teacher

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to "Doing the Most Good". We are made up of thousands of officers, soldiers, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners working together to holistically meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. We do this through programs designed to combat homelessness and hunger, provide safe spaces for youth after school and on the weekends, achieve and maintain sobriety, and give hope to the hopeless. The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division provides these services to people in need.

The Child Care Center Teacher is responsible for creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for children ranging from infancy through pre-kindergarten age. This position supports children's cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language development through age-appropriate activities, play-based learning, and positive interactions. The teacher implements curriculum plans, maintains a structured classroom, ensures compliance with health and safety regulations, and partners with families to support each child's growth and development. Successful candidates demonstrate patience, creativity, strong communication skills, and a genuine commitment to helping young children thrive in a caring and inclusive environment.

Staff are expected to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to work in different classrooms, age groups, or assignments as needed to support the daily operations and best meet the needs of the program. Staff are expected to collaborate as a team and adapt to changing situations to ensure a high-quality learning environment for all children.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, supervise and implement in accordance with the polices and philosophies of The Salvation Army, NAEYC, quality rating Illinois and DCFS licensing.
• Provide attentive care and supervision for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-kindergarten children.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning activities and curriculum with dedicated and individual goals for each student tracked and managed well.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and nurturing classroom environment.
• Monitor and document children's progress and developmental milestones, screening developmental goals with referrals as necessary.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized classroom consistent with licensing and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians regarding children's achievements, needs, and concerns hosting a minimum of two parent/teacher conferences per year.
• Support children's social-emotional development and encourage positive behavior.
• Collaborate with center staff and administrators to ensure quality programming and care.
• Gear the program to the needs of each individual child with concern for his/her interests, abilities, special talents, individual style and pace of learning.
• Treat each child with dignity and respect.
• Help each child become aware of his/her role as an integral member of the group.
• Responsible for the ordered arrangement, appearance, décor and learning environment of the classroom.
• Assume an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of the staff.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Submit daily lunch count to the kitchen.
• Participate in required training programs, conferences, courses and other aspects of professional growth.
• Implement methods for effectively utilizing the services of classroom assistants, student teachers and volunteers.
• Assist in community-oriented events and activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Administrative Expectations

• Successfully satisfy the training requirements associated to the position and as required by The Salvation Army & DCFS.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education :

Bachelor's degree in education, human services, business management or related degree preferred; significant related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Pay scales will vary based on educational qualifications.

Comply with Illinois Department of Child and Family Services and NAEYC employment eligibility.

Experience :

• Experience working with young children in a childcare, preschool, or early childhood education setting. Knowledge of child development principles and age-appropriate practices.
• Ability to maintain required certifications and comply with state licensing requirements.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred or required, depending on state regulations.
• Successfully complete, a physical with proof of Tuberculosis test, T-Dap, and 2 MMR vaccines provided by a physician.

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience or capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills and work as a cooperative team member.
• Close attention to detail and a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to multi-task several projects concurrently
• Must have an interest and ability to work with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner.
• Ability to establish and implement policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated awareness of budget resources and cost control, as well as planning and administering budgets.
• Proficiency in computer software applications, including demonstrated experience in using email, MS Office applications.

Job Limitations

• This individual will only commit resources of The Salvation Army that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position. The individual will keep the designated Supervisor informed of all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• This position will be required to do light to moderate physical work. Sometimes heavier.
• They will regularly be required to lift and move children, bend, twist, and kneel with ground level work with the ability to respond quickly to emergency needs.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment including a PC and potentially make public presentations/interactions.
• The work environment for this position includes a classroom and outdoor playground environment with a moderate noise level.

Reporting Relationships

• This position reports to the Child Care Center Director.
• In context related to this position's duties, this individual will interact with a wide range of contacts both internal and external. In these contacts he/she will act as a representative of The Salvation Army and its mission.

Competencies

• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
• Resolve conflicts in a positive manner.
• Treat staff, clients, and visitors with courtesy.
• Respect others' property and person.
• Use professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates.
• Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

Performance Measures

• This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved. Timeliness and accuracy of accomplishing assigned goals will be reviewed. An evaluation of how effective service is provided. Performance will also be determined by outcome information provided during weekly staff meetings and monthly reports.

Position Limitations

• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

Join our team! Doing the most good. Do you want to use your skills and talents to make a lasting difference in the world? The Salvation Army is the fourth largest charity in the United States and is an international organization based on Biblical principles created to help people in need. We are mission-driven, diverse, collaborative, and focused on positive results for people. Join us in making a difference.

The Salvation Army offers a competitive benefit package for eligible employees which may include the following medical, dental, vision, hearing, disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, a company-funded defined contribution (pension) plan and generous time off policies.

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act if you have a disability and would like to request an