Job Title:

Head Start Teacher Assistant Agency :

Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency (NICAA) -

Freeport, IL Job Type:

Full-Time (Part-Year) | Hourly |

Non-Exempt Schedule:

Monday - Friday | 37.5 hours/week

Location:

On-site / In-person Reports to: Education Manager/Lead Teacher Make a Difference Every Day! Are you passionate about helping young children learn, grow, and thrive? Join the NICAA Head Start team as a Teacher Assistant and help create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for preschool-aged children. You'll work alongside certified teachers to deliver high-quality early childhood education while supporting the developmental needs of children ages 3-5. Key Responsibilities Child Supervision & Classroom Support Supervise and interact with children during indoor/outdoor activities, meals, and rest time. Support daily routines including toileting, handwashing, diapering, and transitions. Observe and engage with children to promote developmentally appropriate behaviors and skills. Create a warm, welcoming classroom that supports children's social-emotional development. Instructional Support Assist in implementing developmentally appropriate lesson plans using the Creative Curriculum. Adapt activities to support children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or special needs. Work with small groups or one-on-one to support individual learning goals. Help set up learning centers and maintain educational materials. Participate in assessments, observations, and child documentation. Classroom Environment & Safety Maintain cleanliness and safety of the classroom and playground. Conduct and document safety, health, and emergency preparedness checks. Participate in fire/emergency drills and follow DCFS and Head Start guidelines. Ensure compliance with all licensing and program standards. Family & Program Engagement Assist with parent communication and engagement activities, including home visits and parent-teacher conferences. Encourage parent involvement in classroom events and learning experiences. Support recruitment and enrollment efforts for Head Start families. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all communications. Team Collaboration & Communication Attend weekly team planning meetings and provide input on lesson plans and classroom strategies. Collaborate with teaching teams and administrative personnel. Report concerns regarding classroom operations or staff performance to the Education Manager. Assist in other classrooms as needed.

Qualifications & Requirements Education:

Required:

Preschool CDA within 2 years of hire

Required:

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Preferred:

Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field with 20+ ECE credits

Experience & Skills:

Prior experience working with young children preferred Ability to demonstrate nurturing teacher-child interactions Comfortable working in a team environment Strong communication and observation skills Basic computer literacy for recordkeeping and reporting

Additional Requirements:

Must be at least 19 years old Valid Illinois Driver's License and reliable transportation Proof of current physical exam, TB test, MMR, and Tdap vaccinations Ability to lift 55 lbs. and physically interact with children at their level Must pass DCFS and federal background checks Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates encouraged to apply

Pay:

$16.50 - $17.00 per hour

Benefits:

Employee assistance program Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person