Lead Teacher - Birth to Three

Job Title: Lead Teacher - Birth-Three

Organization: Marillac St. Vincent Family Services

Position Status: Full Time, 40 hours per week, Non‑Exempt (FLSA)

Division / Department: Marillac Social Center – Early Childhood Programs

• Lead and coordinate a small teaching team to plan and implement individualized educational plans for children ages birth through 3 years, encouraging social, emotional, physical, and language development.
• Ensure accurate completion of all classroom paperwork and timely submission to the manager.
• Maintain weekly accurate data entry into the Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) system.
• Create a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment enriched by high‑quality language experiences with an emphasis on social and emotional growth.
• Implement program requirements in compliance with funding partner performance standards, NAEYC core components, and Illinois Early Learning Guidelines.
• Schedule and conduct home visits and parent‑teacher conferences as required.
• Coach Teacher Assistants, Foster Grandparents, and Child Development students, modeling developmentally appropriate practice and providing guidance, feedback, and performance reviews.
• Develop and sustain collaborative staff goal‑setting, including curriculum development, child assessments, observations, and family engagement.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings and document all observations and program data.
• Ensure daily attendance and meal participation reports are completed and accurate.
• Maintain confidential education information for each child and protect all sensitive records.
• Assist in the assessment of strengths and challenges, developing annual goals with supervisors and directors.
• Input classroom data into information systems and monitor program documentation compliance.
• Observe, assess, and document each child’s health, skills, behavior, growth, and development; document individualized education plans.
• Identify developmental concerns and follow agency protocol.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate classroom activities promoting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
• Collaborate with the birth‑to‑3 manager to implement the educational plan and integrate assessment results into curriculum and lesson planning.
• Create and maintain a positive, secure learning environment that meets state and local licensing regulations, NAEYC performance standards, and St. Vincent’s philosophy.
• Oversee classroom safety, health, and cleanliness, ensuring early child care policies and procedures are documented.
• Coordinate parent involvement, scheduling at least two parent‑teacher conferences per child and engaging families through events and educational activities.
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, mentoring, and coaching sessions; contribute to teacher meetings and training sessions.
• Track utilization of materials, recommend supplies and equipment, and provide classroom coverage as needed to maintain teacher‑to‑child ratios.
• Prepare required documentation for monthly State Pre‑K reports and complete other assigned duties within the scope of the job description.
• Complete a minimum of 20 CEUs annually focused on infant and toddler education to meet DCFS and accreditation requirements.

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) with Level 4 IT credential and Level 5 ECE credential required.
• Bachelor’s degree in ECE or Child Development preferred; membership in Gateways desirable.
• Three (3) years of teaching experience with children ages birth to 3 years.
• Three (3) years of experience in an early‑childhood setting.
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 15 months to 3 years.
• Ability to build respectful, trustworthy relationships with families, co‑teachers, and Teacher Assistants.
• Strong leadership skills to ensure accurate and timely paperwork.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Requirements related to the physical demands of the position are determined by the Agency in collaboration with the employee and occupation manager.