Child Development Specialist

Heartland Community College • Normal, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The College’s Child Development Lab (CDL) is seeking a full-time Child Development Specialist to join our nationally accredited program. The CDL provides care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years while also serving as a laboratory school that supports college students pursuing careers in early childhood education. As a Child Development Specialist, you will work as part of a co-teaching team in a mixed-age infant/toddler or preschool classroom. This is a year-round position that offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children’s development and help prepare the next generation of early childhood professionals.

Requirements

• Associate degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field (submission of transcript copy required)
• Eligibility for Gateways ECE Credential Level 4 (or commitment to a professional development plan to achieve the ECE Credential Level 4 within 12 months of employment at CDL)

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or related field
• Eligibility for Gateways ECE credential Level 5
• 2 or more years’ early childhood classroom experience
• Experience working with Project Approach
• Direct experience developing and implementing curriculum for young children
• Experience supervising student or volunteer assistants
• Demonstrated experience in family involvement activities

Responsibilities

• Assess and document children's development to inform curricular decisions aligned with NAEYC accreditation standards and the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment in both indoors and outdoors classroom spaces.
• Conduct annual screenings, communicate results, and collaborate with families and service providers to support individual needs of children.
• Maintain daily communication to inform families of routines, upcoming events, and family involvement opportunities.
• Mentor and train college students completing field experiences in the laboratory school.
• Collaborate with co-teachers and staff to ensure high-quality programming and accreditation compliance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree