Infant​/Toddler Lead Teacher

Lead the Fun, Shape the Future - the YMCA is hiring an Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher!

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is hiring a full-time Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher for our Early Head Start program. The Early Head Start Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher provides effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning, assessment, evaluation, and related research for children ages 6 weeks-3 years old.

Pay range is $43,888.00-$60,361.60 annually depending on qualifications and credentials

• Official transcripts from accredited institutions verifying educational qualifications relevant to early childhood education.
• Valid credentials or certifications
  , such as Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification, Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or state‑specific teaching licenses.

The Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher provides effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning, assessment, evaluation, and related research for children ages 6 weeks-3 years old. The Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher is responsible for providing developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervision of children assigned in the classroom, and providing a supportive and positive classroom climate, while ensuring the individual needs of the children are met as mandated by Head Start, NAEYC, federal, state and local standards.

• Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work‑life balance.
• 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
• Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.
• Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs
  , employee assistance programs, and company‑sponsored events.

• Provide a positive climate, responsive caregiving, and continuity to help children develop secure relationships while focusing on the children’s social and emotional well‑being.
• Work with an assigned group of infants, toddlers and two’s, applying best practices for care and physical safety.
• Facilitate and nurture the development of each child’s self‑esteem, trust, and growing autonomy.
• Integrate and assist children with special needs.
• Partner with families and encourage parent involvement through a variety of methods (e.g. classroom parent meetings & events and parent/child home activities).
• Obtain families’ social‑cultural background information and designs meaningful learning experiences for children based on their findings.
• Incorporate rigorous academic instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) that will support children’s academic, intellectual, and linguistic development.
• Utilize fidelity measures to support the implementation of English Language Learner programs, and to inform linguistic and culturally responsive practices.
• Schedule and conduct at least two Home Visits and two Parent/Teacher Conferences annually for each child, each program year.
• Maintain awareness and supervision of the needs of the entire classroom; and ensure routines such as diapering, toileting/training, hand washing, meals are handled promptly and consistently with state and local regulations.
• Follow a consistent schedule that meets the individual needs of each child, including skill development, meals, napping, and effective transition between activities.
• Respond quickly and appropriately to children’s different and personal needs (verbal and non‑verbal cues) and temperament styles.
• Engage and guide children at play, meeting them at their physical level (kneeling, bending, or sitting on the floor).
• Complete at least thirty clock hours of professional development annually, through participation in offered training, workshops, in‑service days, all staff…