(Anticipated 12/1/26)Toddler Teacher Assistant (Full-Time)

The Glencoe Park District is a nationally accredited, Gold Medal Award–winning agency dedicated to enriching lives, building community, and fostering an inclusive, positive environment where everyone feels respected and valued. Join our team and be part of a mission-driven organization that invests in its staff, supports professional growth, and makes a meaningful impact on families every day. Come help us create exceptional experiences for the Glencoe community!

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Children’s Circle Classroom Coordinator, the Full-Time Assistant Teacher supports the Lead Teacher and Co-Lead Teacher in providing a safe, nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment for children enrolled in the full-day Children’s Circle program. This position assists with implementing curriculum, supervising children, supporting daily routines, maintaining the classroom environment, and promoting each child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• College coursework in early childhood education and previous experience in a DCFS-licensed program is preferred.
• Previous experience in a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and/or IL Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) licensed program is preferred.
• Must successfully complete all required pre-employment screenings, including a criminal background check, drug screening, and physical examination, and submit all required DCFS and/or IDEC documentation within 60 days of hire. Associated costs will be covered by the Glencoe Park District.

Certifications and Trainings

• Must possess current CPR/AED and First Aid certification or successfully obtain certification within three (3) months of hire and maintained throughout employment.
• Food Handler Certification must be obtained within 30 days of hire and maintained throughout employment.
• Must complete and maintain all other training, certifications, and professional-development requirements established by the District or applicable licensing authorities.

Required Knowledge:

• General knowledge of applicable DCFS and/or IDEC licensing standards and developmentally appropriate practices is required.
• Knowledge of public recreation principles and the ability to communicate them effectively to others.
• Working knowledge of the position’s duties, responsibilities, and operational requirements.

Required Skills:

• Dependable, flexible, safety-conscious, and capable of exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to understand and follow established policies, procedures, rules, and instructions.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to read, write, maintain records, and organize materials effectively.
• Ability to assist with planning and supervising developmentally appropriate activities that support children’s emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
• Ability to apply developmentally appropriate guidance and behavior-management techniques.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to foster a positive, collaborative, and respectful work environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Curriculum and Classroom Operations

• Assist the Lead Teacher and Co-Lead Teacher with preparing and implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences in art, music, literacy, science, mathematics, movement, and other curriculum areas.
• Support activities that promote children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
  
• Collaborate with classroom staff to maintain consistent expectations and effective daily operations.

Child Supervision, Care, and Guidance

• Actively supervise children during classroom, outdoors, transition, meal, rest, and play activities to maintain their safety and well-being.
• Interact with children in a warm, patient, compassionate, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Engage with children at their level, including speaking at eye level and participating in group activities, free play, and gross-motor activities.
• Use developmentally appropriate child-guidance and behavior-management techniques consistent with program policies.
• Assist children with toileting, hygiene, and other developmentally appropriate self-care routines.
  

Classroom Safety, Organization, and Compliance

• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Ensure educational materials, supplies, furniture, and equipment are used, cleaned, organized, stored, and maintained properly.
• Follow and consistently implement all Children’s Circle and Glencoe Park District policies, procedures, and emergency practices.
• Comply with applicable DCFS and/or IDEC licensing, health, safety, supervision, sanitation, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Address or promptly report classroom hazards, equipment concerns, supply needs, and maintenance issues.
  

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality of information regarding children, families, and employees.

• Demonstrate professionalism, discretion, integrity, impartiality, and sound judgment when handling sensitive information and personnel matters.

• Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality and work additional hours when necessary to support program and operational needs.
• Attend required staff meetings, training sessions, parent meetings, school functions, and professional-development programs.

• Support the District’s mission, vision, and values while promoting a respectful, inclusive, collaborative, and service-oriented workplace.
• Help maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for employees and patrons.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Children’s Circle Classroom Coordinator, Early Childhood Director, or Director of Recreation and Facilities.

Physical Demands:

The physical requirements described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee who successfully performs the essential functions of the Children’s Circle Full-Time Assistant Teacher. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods.
• Safely lift up to 50 pounds maximum.
• Lift and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Hours:

This is an hourly, non-exempt position. Work hours vary based on program schedules and operational needs. Children’s Circle operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The position may occasionally require evening, weekend, or holiday hours to support Park District programs, training, meetings, and special events and workweek may exceed 40 hours.

Pay Scale:

This is a Full-Time, non-exemptposition. The intended starting annual pay for this position is $20.00 per (hour), with a full pay scale ranging from $18.31 per (hour) to $26.00 per (hour).

Final compensation will be determined in good faith based on an evaluation of the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the recommendation of the Early Childhood Director or the Executive Director.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, and Hearing coverage
• Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
• Life Insurance (basic & voluntary additional coverage)
• Participation in Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) - Defined Benefit Pension
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (IMRF)
• Supplemental Benefits (Aflac)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 457 Defined Contribution Plans
• Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (sick, vacation, floating holidays and personal time) & Paid Family Leave
• Public Commuter Transit Benefit
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Park District Membership, Program and Rental Discounts
  

*To review the full job description, please contact the hiring manager.

Glencoe Park District is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the human resource manager.