Lead Teacher

Minimum Illinois Qualifications: The Lead Teacher must be at least 19 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. For a classroom serving infants, toddlers, or preschool-age children, the employee must also qualify through oneof these pathways:

• 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of college credit, including at least **6 semester hours (9 quarter hours)**directly related to child care and/or child development, birth through age 6; OR
• 1,560 clock hours (one year) of qualifying child-development experience plus 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of college credit, including at least 6 semester hours (9 quarter hours) directly related to child care/child development, birth through age 6; OR
• An approved credential, including a CDA, Certified Childcare Professional (CCP), Gateways ECE Credential Level 3 or higher, or Gateways Infant Toddler Credential Level 3 or higher.

Illinois also requires child care staff to participate in 15 clock hours of in-service training each year, with specific required topics during the first year of employment.

Essential Job Duties

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning and supervision of the assigned group of children and for supervising classroom staff who do not independently meet Early Childhood Teacher qualifications.

At Elite Little’s Christian Academy, I would write the duties to include planning and implementing developmentally appropriate daily lessons and activities; providing experiences in language, literacy, fine motor, gross motor, sensory, art, music, social-emotional development, and faith-based learning; maintaining active supervision and required staff-to-child ratios; conducting diapering, toileting, feeding, handwashing, rest and transition routines safely; maintaining a clean, organized and welcoming classroom; using positive guidance and discipline techniques; completing attendance, incident, meal, diapering and other required classroom documentation; communicating professionally with families; supervising assistant teachers; and immediately reporting safety, health, licensing or child-protection concerns to administration.

The Lead Teacher should demonstrate emotional maturity, patience, respect for children and adults, good communication and listening skills, responsiveness to children's individual needs, appropriate hygiene, and the ability to create an environment where children feel safe, comfortable and engaged. These qualities closely track Illinois personnel requirements.

Pay: $16.26 - $17.80 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person