Toddler/Two's Co-Lead Teacher (Full-Time)

The Glencoe Park District is a nationally accredited, Gold Medal Award-winning agency dedicated to enriching lives, building community, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Our Children's Circle program is a licensed, full-day early childhood school offering a safe, nurturing, play-based environment that encourages hands-on learning, meaningful interactions, and active exploration for busy families. Join a mission-driven team that invests in its staff and supports professional growth.

Job Summary:


Under the direction of the Children's Circle Classroom Coordinator, the Children's Circle Co-Lead Teacher is responsible for assisting the Children's Circle classroom Lead Teachers in the full-day Children's Circle program.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate required.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Early Childhood college credits are preferred.
• Previous experience in a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)-licensed program is preferred.
• General knowledge of DCFS licensing standards and developmentally appropriate practices is required.
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification within the first three months.
• Food Handler Licenses within 30 days of hire.
• Completion of all DCFS-required paperwork within 60 days of hire.
• All full-time employees must complete a criminal background check, drug test, and physical exam, all covered by the Glencoe Park District.

Required Knowledge:

• Good understanding and working knowledge of DCFS standards and regulations required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of children's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
• Ability to support the implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Ability to assist in adapting classroom programs to meet individual children's needs.

Required Skills:

• Must be dependable and flexible, with strong safety awareness and sound judgment.
• Ability to understand and follow rules and instructions.
• Capable of supervising a developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates use of developmentally appropriate discipline methods.
• Expected to contribute to a harmonious and collaborative work environment through positive relationships

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Help lead age-appropriate learning activities in art, music, literature, science, and math.
• Support and supervise activities that promote healthy emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
• Keep the classroom neat and organized, and help care for educational materials and equipment.
• Supervise children at all times to ensure their safety.
• Keep cleaning charts up to date and sanitize materials as required by DCFS regulations.
• Remind parents to sign their child in and out using Brightwheel each day.
• Help children develop good toileting and hygiene habits; change diapers and pull-ups as needed.
• Engage with children throughout the day, including getting on their eye level and participating in free play and large motor activities when possible.
• Encourage and assist children with clean-up routines.
• Sit with children during meals and snacks to promote healthy eating habits.
• Be open to professional development opportunities in child development.
• Arrive on time for scheduled shifts; notify the Early Childhood Classroom Coordinator if sick and help arrange for a substitute.
• Follow all Glencoe Park District policies.
• Comply with all DCFS policies and procedures.
• Attend all required staff meetings, trainings, and school events.
• Take responsibility for daily classroom activities when the lead teacher is absent.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

An employee who successfully performs the essential functions of the Full-Time Children's Circle Assistant Teacher position must meet the considerations described below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, and move throughout the classroom and program areas for extended periods of time.
• Lift, carry, assist, or support children weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Handle light to moderate-weight materials, classroom supplies, equipment, and program items.

Hours:

Regular scheduled hours for this position are 8:30 AM-5:30 PM. Due to the very nature of park district programming, early morning, evening, weekend, and some holiday hours are to be expected.

Pay Scale:

This is a Full-Time, non-exempt position. The intended starting annual pay for this position is $20 per hour, with a full pay scale ranging from $18.31 per hour to $26.00 per hour.

Final compensation will be determined in good faith based on an evaluation of the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the recommendation of the Early Childhood Director or the Executive Director.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, and Hearing coverage
• Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
• Life Insurance (basic & voluntary additional coverage)
• Participation in Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) - Defined Benefit Pension
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (IMRF)
• Supplemental Benefits (Aflac)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 457 Defined Contribution Plans
• Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (sick, vacation, floating holidays and personal time) & Paid Family Leave
• Public Commuter Transit Benefit
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Park District Membership, Program and Rental Discounts

*To review the full job description, please contact the hiring manager.

Glencoe Park District is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the human resource manager.