Early Childhood Teacher

Little Scouts Preschool | Lake Forest, IL Pay: $19.51–$22.00 per hour Little Scouts Preschool is seeking a caring, responsive, and dependable toddler teacher to join our early childhood team. At Little Scouts, we believe that caregiving is curriculum . Feeding, diapering, comforting, talking, singing, reading, and playing are all meaningful opportunities for infants and toddlers to build trust, develop relationships, and learn about the world around them. We are looking for an educator who understands that infants and toddlers need consistent, responsive caregivers who respect their individual routines, personalities, developmental stages, and needs. Responsibilities include: Building warm, responsive relationships with infants and toddlers Providing individualized care based on each child’s routines and developmental needs Supporting feeding, diapering, sleep, toileting, and other daily caregiving routines Planning age-appropriate sensory, movement, language, and play experiences Talking, singing, reading, and interacting intentionally with children throughout the day Supporting children’s early social-emotional development and growing independence Observing children’s development and using observations to guide experiences Maintaining open and professional communication with families Following safe sleep, sanitation, feeding, and diapering procedures Maintaining a safe, clean, organized, and nurturing classroom Working collaboratively with co-teachers and other Little Scouts staff Following Illinois licensing requirements and Little Scouts policies and procedures Qualifications: Applicants must be at least 19 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and meet Illinois Department of Early Childhood (formerly DCFS) Early Childhood Teacher qualifications through one of the following pathways: 60 semester hours of college credit, including at least 6 semester hours in coursework directly related to child care and/or child development from birth through age six; or 30 semester hours of college credit, including at least 6 semester hours in coursework directly related to child care and/or child development from birth through age six, plus one year (1,560 hours) of qualifying child development experience; or Completion of an approved credentialing program, such as a Child Development Associate (CDA), Certified Childcare Professional (CCP), Gateways ECE Credential Level 3 or higher, or Gateways Infant Toddler Credential Level 3 or higher Previous experience working with infants and/or toddlers is preferred. Candidates should be patient, nurturing, dependable, comfortable providing hands‑on care, and have strong communication and teamwork skills. Schedule: Monday–Friday, full-time This position is especially well suited for a student, recent graduate, or early childhood professional interested in infant and toddler development, early childhood education, child development, or working with children and families. Company Description Lake Forest Community High School District 115 (Lake Forest High School) is a 2021 National Blue Ribbon High School serving the communities of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The school is dedicated to developing compassionate, inclusive, confident, and accomplished students through a balanced approach to academic and personal growth. Faculty and staff value each individual learner and provide academic excellence for all students, with more than 95% continuing on to higher‑level education. With an enrollment of approximately 1,400 students, Lake Forest High School offers a supportive, professionally driven environment. The school’s mission is “to inspire the passion to learn, the insight to know oneself, and the courage to make a difference,” guiding its work with students and educators. Role Description This full-time, on-site Early Childhood Teacher role is located in Highland Park, IL. The Early Childhood Teacher will design and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth of young children. Day‑to‑day responsibilities include planning and delivering lessons, creating engaging classroom activities, assessing student progress, and maintaining a safe, nurturing, inclusive learning environment. The teacher will collaborate with colleagues, support staff, and families to ensure consistent communication about student needs and progress. Additional duties include participating in professional development, contributing to curriculum planning, and adhering to school policies and procedures. Qualifications Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. Proficiency in Teaching and Working With Children in a classroom or educational setting. Ability to design and implement Curriculum Development aligned with early childhood standards. Strong classroom management, communication, and interpersonal skills. Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field; appropriate state teaching certification or eligibility preferred. Experience in school-based or early learning environments, with a commitment to inclusive and culturally responsive practices. Ability to collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team and engage families as partners in learning. Willingness to participate in ongoing professional learning and reflect on instructional practices. #J-18808-Ljbffr