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 social emotional 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 age appropriate 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 parent teacher 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)…