Lead Teacher

College of Lake County•Grayslake, IL

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Teacher plans and facilitates developmental activities that support children’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth, under the supervision of the Child Care Director. The role develops classroom arrangements and daily and weekly activity schedules in consultation with the Center Director, maintains assessment materials documenting children’s participation and growth, oversees assigned housekeeping procedures, and monitors Health Department sanitation procedures. The Lead Teacher also participates in staff and parent meetings, conferences, and center promotional activities as needed. The position supports staff development through reports, meetings, and plans to improve teaching skills and understanding of child development. As assigned, the Lead Teacher may oversee assistant teachers, work-study students, interns, and student teachers, and assume responsibility for center operations in the absence of the Director or Coordinator. The role also assists with family and child enrollment and orientation and performs other related duties as assigned. This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week staff position at the Grayslake Campus. The work schedule is an 8.5-hour shift between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pay is $20.31 per hour. The expected start date is August 21, 2026. Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood development, education, or a related field, with at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education or courses approved by DCFS; alternatively, the ability to obtain the credits within two years of employment.
At least two years of job-related experience.
Ability to work effectively and constructively with people of diverse cultures, language groups, and abilities, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff, including people with disabilities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people contacted in the course of work.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency.
Previous work experience in a preschool and childcare center environment.
Experience with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation standards and system.
Experience with the EXCELERATE quality rating system for Illinois.
Professional Educator License.
Level 5 Gateways certification from the State of Illinois or ability to obtain it.
Toddler Gateways credential or ability to obtain it.

Responsibilities

Develop classroom arrangements that support children’s safe, calm, comfortable, and successful participation, in consultation with the Center Director.
Develop consistent daily and weekly schedules of program activities in consultation with the Center Director.
Maintain assessment materials with examples of children’s participation and growth in social, intellectual, emotional, and physical areas.
Oversee housekeeping procedures in the classroom and assigned common center areas, and monitor Health Department sanitation procedures.
Plan and facilitate developmental activities supporting children’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth.
Participate in, share during, and/or prepare for classroom and center staff meetings, parent meetings and conferences, and center promotional activities as needed or assigned.
Prepare reports, attend meetings, and/or enact plans to help class and center staff improve teaching skills and understanding of children’s development.
Assume responsibility for Child Care Center operations in the absence of the Director or Coordinator, as assigned.
Supervise Assistant Teachers, Work study students, Interns, and Student Teachers, as assigned.
Assist with enrollment and orientation of families and their children, as assigned.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Child Care Center Director/Coordinator.