Early Childhood Assistant Teacher 0-3

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher 0-3

Location: 5235 W Belden St, Chicago, IL 60639 or 4701 N Winthrop Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Company: Christopher House

Pay: $40,000.00 - $48,000.00 per year

Job description:

Position Description: 0-3 Assistant Teacher

Reports to: Site Director or Infant Toddler Specialist

Status: Non-Exempt

Salary: $40,000 - $48,000

Anticipated Start Date: Summer/Fall 2026

Christopher House closes the opportunity gap through a continuum of schools that closes the opportunity gap through personalized learning and immersive family support starting at birth. We operate accredited early learning, elementary, and out of school time programs grounded in research-based curricula and high-quality instruction.

Christopher House enrolls children and families in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin and Uptown neighborhoods, where the average annual income for a Christopher House family is at poverty levels. At Christopher House we believe that children and families thrive when:

• Education begins at birth and continues throughout life, with parents as their children's first teachers. Home environments nurture literacy, achievement, and children's success
• Parents have high standards and set high expectations for themselves, their children, and their children's schools
• Evaluations and program improvements are data-driven
• Parents and staff work together to continuously evaluate and improve programming
• Education includes providing space for creativity and perseverance, and is multi-disciplinary in order to foster each child's unique strengths and interests
• Developing independent, creative, life-long researchers, education includes a curriculum designed to help scholars develop socially and emotionally as well as cognitively
• Diversity is celebrated and explored so that learners develop broad perspectives on life and learning

Assistant Teacher Birth-3 Years Old

At Christopher House, we understand the critical role early learning experiences drive brain development. We partner with parents to provide a safe, welcoming, rich daily experience in our eight 0-3 yo classrooms. With a classroom maximum of eight students with one lead teacher and one assistant or teacher aide, our program prioritizes the relationships children develop with their teachers. This is realized through our Montessori-inspired three-year loop, with a lead teacher and student cohort working together over the three years of the Birth-3 experience. This continuity of care is a hallmark of our program and paves the way for deep partnerships between home and school.

As a member of the ECE community at Christopher House you will have the support of the Early Childhood program director, the Mentor Teacher, and a robust team of support teachers including the Diverse Learners Coordinator. Your ongoing professional development, health and well-being, and your ongoing education in research and best practices are foundational to your experience as an ECE leader. As a member of Christopher House’s community, your expertise and experience are valued and celebrated. We hold the highest standards for ourselves and for our faculty and staff.

Position Objective:

Assist the teacher in determining the needs and providing for the development of children, infants to three years old. Awareness that children will learn and thrive better when there is a partnership with the child’s family. Interest in understanding the culture, community, and the role it plays in the social, emotional, physical, and educational processes and development of the children. Maintain a clean and sterile classroom. Assist the teacher and other team members in maintaining a safe, age-appropriate classroom. Assist children with their health, hygiene, and nutrition. This includes, but is not limited to, toileting, handwashing, and reporting any accidents, illness, or injuries to the supervisor and parents. Work to create a safe environment for children. Implement and maintain all components for children ages 0-3, in accordance with HS, State Pre-K, Child Care, and state and local requirements.

Qualifications:

• Strong alignment with Christopher House's Values and Mission:
• Commitment to excellence in the care and education of our earliest learners
• Achievement and perseverance in lifelong learning
• Respect and compassion for children, families, and colleagues
• Equity as the lens through which early childhood best practices are applied
• Strong work ethic coupled with a proactive problem-solving approach
• Must be able to work well within a culturally diverse environment, with the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Maintain a warm, supportive attitude towards children
• Find value and interest in growing while working with students varying in ages from 6 weeks to 36 months
• Interest in assisting in creating and implementing developmentally appropriate lessons, interact positively with children and other staff, and understand and attend to the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional needs of the children
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish is desirable

Education:

• Two years of experience working in a zero to three year old classroom, preferably in a Head Start or governmentally funded child care program
• Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development required
• Must have an Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Account and Gateways Infant Toddler Level 4

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis with an anticipated start of Summer/Fall 2026.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Christopher House 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, national origin, disability, veteran's status, or any other protected characteristic.