Teacher Aide, Early Head Start

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 & respect, empowerment, excellence, learning, and communication. Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture. We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do.

The Early Head Start Teacher Aide works cooperatively with the Lead Teacher and Teacher Assistant to plan and implement the daily education program for the children.  Under the reflective supervision of the Lead Teacher, the Early Head Start Teacher Aide will support the Lead Teacher and Teacher Assistant in ensuring that all classroom activities and the environment are developmentally appropriate and meet the individual needs of children as mandated by federal, state, and local standards, and that they reflect the agency’s philosophy and curriculum.

 Reporting to the Education Coordinator, you will:  

• Administrative Responsibilities:  Accurately complete all required program documentation and submit on time to the Lead Teacher. Participate in recruitment efforts to help maintain full program enrollment. As assigned by the Lead teacher, monitor and ensure that daily attendance, health checks, parent sign/scan in, and meal participation reports are completed daily. Read and respond to Outlook emails daily.
• Child Development:  Support Lead and Assistant teachers by observing and documenting children’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development as needed. Adhere to all IEP, IFSP, IHP Implementation Plans and/or strategies provided by Education Managers and/or Consultants. Provide opportunities for children to develop positive self-images and experience success. Participate in Family/Child Reviews. Identify any developmental concerns regarding the children and follow agency protocol.
• Curriculum and Assessment:  In conjunction with the classroom teaching team, plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences that will promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child. Contribute to the development of lesson plans with goals, objectives, experiences, and outcomes for children. In conjunction with the classroom teaching team, utilize standardized and authentic assessment data to create learning opportunities to advance children’s development and learning.  Develop and maintain observation, technological, and individualization skills required for assessment and lesson planning, including completing all assigned TSG modules and trainings. Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a classroom environment that ensures appropriate child guidance and discipline techniques are implemented in accordance with Educare’s philosophy, curriculum, policies, procedures, Head Start standards, and Start Early standards of conduct and state regulations.
• Classroom Environment: In conjunction with the classroom teaching team, maintain a classroom environment that includes positive guidance techniques, which meet state and local licensing regulations, Head Start Program Performance Standards, program curriculum (Creative Curriculum), and (Conscious Discipline, Erikson Early Math Lessons approach) into individualized and group learning opportunities. In conjunction with the teaching team, maintain a classroom environment that reflects the use of Conscious Discipline, and follow the guidelines of ITERS or ECERS. Implements Active Supervision Strategies.
• Parent Involvement/Interdisciplinary Work:  In conjunction with the classroom teaching team, encourage parent participation in the program, including participation in parent events, home visits, conferences, and volunteering in the classroom. Develop positive and effective partnerships with families using the Touchpoints Approach (once trained). Hold friendly daily conversations with families and maintain professional boundaries. Participates in family engagement and recruitment events.
• Other: Follow all mandates of federal regulations, state and local licensing, Start Early’s philosophy, agency policies and procedures, curriculum, and Standards of Conduct. Attend and actively participate in all required meetings and trainings, and reflective supervision. Perform other duties as assigned, within the scope of the job description. Ensure 20 hours of continuing education annually. Administer medication as needed (ex. Nebulizer treatment, Epipen).

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. with a non-expired Infant/Toddler CDA Certification for Infant/Toddler Development.
• A Gateway Level 3 ECE/IT Credential is required upon hire. 
• A minimum of six months of experience in an early childhood program. 
• 20 hours of annual continuing education. CPR and First Aid certification, and Food Handlers certification. Additional training requirements include Mandated Reporter, Health and Safety Basics, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and Shaken Baby Syndrome. 
• Must be able to manually operate and use a computer and other office equipment. 
• Knowledge of and ability to implement Early Head Start/Head Start or other developmental child care programs. Knowledge of and ability to implement child development and early childhood principles, practices, and curricula for the specific age group (0-3 or 3-5). 
• Ability to remain abreast of ongoing developments in the child care field. 
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community. 
• Ability to reflect on one’s own practice and make changes as suggested through meetings, data dialogues, observations, and reflective supervisions. 
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule between the hours of 7:00am - 6:00pm. 
• Ability to communicate and work with diverse families and professionals. 
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials. 
• Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that demonstrates respect and concern.
• Deep commitment to advancing diversity and incorporating them 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.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!   

Salary: $31,590.00 - $39,374.00 

As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations. 

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Dedication to Diversity & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months of 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.