Early Childhood Teacher (Birth to Three)

Location: Chicago, IL

Department: Early Childhood Education

Reports To: Site Director

Employment Type: Full-Time, 100% On-Site

About Centers for New Horizons

Founded in 1971, Centers for New Horizons is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children, youth, and families to become self-reliant and thrive. With more than 200 employees, many of whom live in or near the communities they serve, Centers delivers high-quality programs across seven locations throughout the Bronzeville and Riverdale neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side, reaching more than 1,000 individuals every day.

Position Summary

Centers for New Horizons is seeking a passionate and nurturing Early Childhood Teacher to join our Early Head Start program. This role is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment for infants and toddlers from birth to age three. Early Childhood Teacher plays a critical role in supporting the cognitive, social, emotional, language, and physical development of young children while fostering strong partnerships with families.

The ideal candidate is committed to providing responsive caregiving, implementing best practices in early childhood education, and ensuring children have every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.

Key Responsibilities

Child Development and Classroom Instruction

• Create and maintain a warm, nurturing, and responsive environment that promotes children's socialemotional wellbeing and secure attachments.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language development.
• Provide individualized care and instruction for infants and toddlers ages birth to three.
• Promote school readiness through playbased learning and ageappropriate educational activities.
• Observe, document, and assess children's progress and developmental milestones.
• Ensure continuous supervision and maintain a safe learning environment at all times.
• Support children's daily routines, including feeding, diapering, toileting, handwashing, rest periods, and transitions.

Family Engagement

• Establish positive and respectful relationships with parents and caregivers.
• Conduct quarterly parentteacher conferences and share developmental progress with families.
• Partner with families to support children's learning goals and developmental needs.
• Encourage family engagement and participation in program activities and events.

Program Administration and Compliance

• Develop and maintain lesson plans, child assessments, progress reports, and classroom documentation.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, DCFS regulations, Illinois State Board of Education requirements, and agency policies.
• Maintain accurate student records and confidential documentation.
• Participate in program planning, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Assist with organizational committees, parent committees, and family engagement initiatives as needed.
• Support program, facility, and organizational objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of infant and toddler development.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain a safe, engaging, and inclusive classroom environment.
• Commitment to serving diverse children and families in urban communities.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and comply with program regulations and standards.
• Flexibility to adjust work schedules to meet program needs, including occasional evening or Saturday events.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Experience working with infants and toddlers (birth to age three) in an Early Head Start, Head Start, childcare, or early learning setting.
• Strong knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for children ages birth to three.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with children, families, and team members.
• Ability to work fulltime onsite in Chicago, IL.

Credential Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

• Hold an Illinois Infant/Toddler (IT) Level 5 Credential, or
• Hold an Illinois Early Childhood Education (ECE) Level 5 Credential, or
• Hold an Illinois Infant/Toddler (IT) Level 4 Credential, or
• Be actively working toward obtaining an Illinois Infant/Toddler (IT) Level 4 Credential.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, and actively engage with young children.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to safely respond to the physical needs of infants and toddlers throughout the day.
• Ability to supervise children in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to travel occasionally throughout Chicago and surrounding communities as needed.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Environment

This position operates primarily within an Early Head Start classroom setting serving infants and toddlers. The work environment includes regular interaction with young children and families in both indoor and outdoor settings. Noise levels may vary throughout the day based on classroom activities and child engagement.

Salary

$35,000 - $53,000 annually, commensurate with experience, credentials, education, and qualifications.

Why Join Centers for New Horizons?

At Centers for New Horizons, you'll have the opportunity to work directly with executive leadership while contributing to programs and initiatives that strengthen children, families, and communities throughout Chicago. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic professional who enjoys executive support, organizational leadership, fundraising, and mission-driven work.

Benefits and Perks

Centers for New Horizons offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth, including:

• Competitive salary
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Paid Birthday Off
• Student Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer
• Equal Opportunity Employer

Centers for New Horizons is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.