Little Scholars is an early childhood education facility located in McHenry, Illinois. We specialize in quality childcare for infants (6 weeks) - 12 years of age. We offer specialized care for our youngest learners 6 weeks - 15 months making sure that we are working side by side with our parents to establish a schedule that coincides with what they are used to at home. Our Toddler through our Pre-Kindergarten rooms work off a daily schedule and lesson plan that includes activities going all day long! Keeping our children busy with play while learning. Your child's development is an important time in their life. We've established an environment that is conducive to your child's educational success.

Health & Safety is our number one priority at Little Scholars. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the little ones in our care. That is why all our teachers are First Aid and CPR certified. Our classrooms have a cleanliness chart in each room, so no detail is missed when cleaning and sanitizing. Our Playground has a safety checklist that our teachers and openers use every day. Our parents have their own individualized code to enter our facility and to clock their child in and out. We pride ourselves in checking Identification on individuals that have never been at our facility to pick up before. Our school nurse visits our center once a month to make sure we our following all appropriate health and safety guidelines and help train our staff in proper diapering, handwashing, and sanitizing. All team members are background checked with the state of Illinois. Our state-of-the-art camera system monitors our building 24/7.

The person selected for this position will be responsible for the general supervision and management of your assigned classroom.

Looking for teachers to bring warmth, patience, and understanding to the classroom every day, encouraging children to learn and grow. Teachers that inspire children to be lifelong learners using our curriculum that promotes social, physical, verbal, and cognitive development. Our teachers should be committed to making our center successful and know that creating meaningful relationships with children, families, and their team play a crucial role in that success. Lead Teacher candidates must have a heart for working with 6 weeks to 12 years of age. DaVinci Academy is licensed through DCFS. We offer a nurturing environment for our children as well as our staff. We work together as a TEAM to provide developmentally appropriate, stimulating, play based learning environment!

As a lead teacher at Little Scholars, you must be professionally prepared as a teacher of young children, especially in the field of ECE and be able to meet the requirements of all licensing and accreditation agencies. This person must be a sensitive and mature individual who is able to relate well to both children and adults and shows the ability to be patient and interact in an appropriate manner in the classroom with the children and their co-workers.

Joining our TEAM puts you in a position to work with Gateways and get your continuing education paid for and Gateways bonus structures paid directly to the employee!

**rate of pay is based off education and experience**

As a member of our teaching staff, you will:

• Create a safe, nurturing environment where children can play and learn
• Partner with parents with a shared desire to provide the best care and education for their children
• Support your center’s success by partnering with center staff and leadership to achieve goals around enrollment, accreditation, and engagement
• Cultivate positive relationships with families, teachers, state licensing authorities, community contacts and corporate partners
• Implement curriculum in a way that is consistent with the unique needs of each child
• Promote Kindness

The benefits our career professionals enjoy:

• Childcare discount benefit
• Paid time off (12 days per year)
• AFLAC Insurance
• Birthday Bonus
• Referral Bonus
• Holiday Pay 

Required Skills and Experience:

• CPR and First Aid Certification
• Active Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential if applicable
• Must be physically able to use a computer with basic proficiency, lift a minimum of 40 pounds, and work indoors or outdoors
• Must be able to assume postures in low levels to allow physical and visual contact with children, see and hear well enough to keep children safe, and engage in physical activity with children
• All center staff applicants must meet state specific guidelines for the role of Lead Teacher
• knowledge of development for 6 weeks to 12 years of age.
• provide a safe, clean, play based, family friendly environment
• ability to track a child's growth and needs by ASQ/assessments provided by Little Scholars to extend their learning knowledge.
• build relationships with families and help children develop social-emotional skills with peers & teachers.
• Willing/able to get down on the floor with children and play with them on their level. Comfortable giving and receiving hugs.

Qualifications

• one year of related experience
• CDA, associate degree, or higher in ECE or related field
• Lead teacher qualified based off of DCFS standards
• communication skills
• understanding of ages & stages/milestones
• ability to multitask
• ability to be flexible
• ability to be a TEAM player
• ability to keep all training up to date yearly
• willing to float in and out of classrooms

Little Scholars is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.