Inclusion Aide

Inclusion Aide

Educare Chicago provides high-quality care, best-in-class education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old on Chicago's South Side. As a program that serves low-income families, Educare's research-based program helps children develop the literacy, language, early math, and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation and respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication.

The Inclusion Aide will assist students with disabilities and special needs, including safety, personal care needs, facilitating total inclusion in the daily curriculum, and execution of classroom activities. The Inclusion Aide will help maintain a developmentally appropriate classroom environment and meet the individual needs of children as mandated by federal, state, and local standards. The Inclusion Aide will also ensure the execution of individualized Implementation and interim plans, as well as Conscious Discipline curriculum support.

Reporting to the Disabilities & Mental Health Supervisor, you will:

• Provide information to the Lead Teacher that will assist in the referral process for children with special needs.
• Assist the teaching team in maintaining a classroom environment that includes positive guidance techniques that meet state and local licensing regulations and Head Start performance Standards.
• Collaborate with the internal team to implement the Interim & Implementation plans and other identified needs related to special needs development.
• Complete monthly progress reports regarding children with Implementation and Interim Plans.
• Assist the teaching team in gathering documentation such as assessment data, work samples, observations, and reports.
• Assist the teaching team in implementing the Conscious Discipline curriculum.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or G.E.D required.
• Minimum of 6 credit hours in Early Childhood Development Preferred.
• Associate Degree in Education preferred.
• Minimum of one to two years of experience working with children with disabilities and/or challenging behavior in an early childhood or childcare program.
• Ability to learn and implement Head Start Performance Standards.
• Willingness to learn about theories and principles of child growth, development, and early childhood education.
• Willingness to learn how to address mental health challenges and work with special needs children.
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development.
• Ability to implement strategies and instruction gained from professional development.
• Communicate effectively and function well with parents, staff, and various professional community groups.
• Good communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow as directed child development and early childhood principles and practices.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community.
• Ability to be flexible with transitions to different classrooms throughout the day.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Current physical renewed every two years with a TB test. (Initial physical exam cannot be dated more than 6 months prior to the 1st day of employment).
• Two doses of MMR, and a TDAP less than 10 years old.
• Exposed to moderate noise levels.
• Job requires lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. Should be able to run.
• Must be mobile; ability to sit on the floor and stand.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus
• Ensures environment is safe and in good repair.
• Reports any unsafe conditions.
• Ensures all children are within sight and sound at all times and no child is left unsupervised. Clearance of Background Check by Illinois Department of Children and Families.
• Deep commitment to advancing diversity and incorporating it into interpersonal routines and practice.
• Efficiently establish and handle relationships with colleagues/clients and gain their trust and respect.
• Relief and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.

Salary: $36,000.00 - $38,000.00 + $1,500.00 Sign On Bonus

Our generous benefit plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.