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Early Learning Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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Early Head Start /PI Lead Teacher

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$14.25 - $19/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country. We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in ...

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How much do early learning jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for early learning in Illinois is $18.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do early learning professionals typically collaborate with families and other educators to support children's development?

Early learning professionals work closely with families and fellow educators to create a supportive environment for young children. This often involves regular communication with parents or guardians about each child’s progress, sharing developmental milestones, and addressing any concerns together. Additionally, early learning staff participate in team meetings, collaborate on lesson planning, and may coordinate with specialists such as speech therapists or counselors to provide comprehensive care. Strong partnerships and open communication are essential for fostering children's growth and ensuring a consistent approach between home and the early learning center.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an early learning educator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Early Learning Educator, you need knowledge of child development, lesson planning, and early childhood education, typically supported by an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Familiarity with classroom management software, assessment tools, and state licensing requirements is often necessary. Patience, creativity, and strong communication skills help educators build trust with young children and collaborate with families. These skills and qualifications are crucial for fostering a nurturing and effective learning environment during children’s formative years.

What is an early learning professional?

Early learning professionals are educators and caregivers who work with young children, typically from birth to age five, to support their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. They create safe and nurturing environments where children can explore, play, and learn foundational skills. Early learning professionals may work in settings such as preschools, childcare centers, Head Start programs, or as private nannies. Their role is crucial in preparing children for future academic success and lifelong learning.
Early Learning jobs near you
Infographic showing various Early Learning job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,425 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Early Learning Teacher Assistant

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Naperville, IL • On-site

$17.05 - $17.25/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

Nurturing Young Minds: Join Us as a part-time Teacher Assistant at Fry Family YMCA to Inspire and Support Early Learners!
The Teacher Assistant in collaboration with the Lead Teacher provides support in effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning, assessment, evaluation and related research for children 2-5 years old. The Assistant Teacher is responsible for providing developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervision of children assigned in the classroom, and providing a supportive and positive classroom climate, while ensuring the individual needs of the children are met as mandated by DCFS, ExceleRate Illinois, NAEYC, federal, state and local standards, as applicable
Salary range starts at $17.05 $17.25 per hour, part-time benefits, and opportunities to grow within the organization
Schedule: Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm
Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:
  • We offer salaries that reflect your skills, experience, and the value you bring to our team.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans for eligible employees, along with access to wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
  • Generous paid time off (PTO), including paid holidays. We also offer flexible work hours to help you balance your personal and professional life.
  • 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees
  • after 2 years of service to help you plan for your future.
  • Opportunities for continuous learning through workshops and training programs.
  • A supportive work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected.
  • Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

Scope of Responsibilities
  • Promotes and models high quality teaching and learning in the classroom that fosters academic readiness.
  • Demonstrates culturally and linguistically appropriate practices that values all children and families and makes them feel welcomed and an essential part of the program
  • Maintains awareness and supervision of children's needs and ensure their physical health and safety, at all times.
  • Assists with communicating and developing effective partnerships with parents and families, encouraging parent involvement.
  • Abides by DCFS and all quality standards for maintaining safe, high-quality programming
  • Collaborates regularly with classroom team including families, volunteers and all staff.
  • Assists with collecting and using multiple data sources, both formative and summative, to inform instruction and child centered learning and development.
  • Assists with completing routine professional development annually; utilizes continuous quality improvement (CQI); and identifies different instructional resources and methods to meet children's varying needs and improve the classroom experience for children and families.
  • Participates and supports association/center efforts towards recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of families while supporting the YMCA's mission and center operations as needed.

Lesson Planning and Classroom Management
  • Collaborates with the Lead Teacher to develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement.
  • Assists the Lead Teacher in implementation of high quality, developmentally appropriate instructional activities and curriculum approaches (like Creative Curriculum™) that facilitate active learning experiences and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child; while ensuring the program follows DCFS, YMCA, ExceleRate Illinois™, and NAEYC accreditation standards, if applicable.
  • Takes the lead in absence of the lead teacher.
  • With the support of the Lead Teacher, uses observational and child data to assist in planning developmentally appropriate and 2 YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago engaging early learning experiences based upon the emergent needs of the child.
  • Assists the Lead Teacher in leveraging the physical environment and pedagogical documentation to support teaching and learning practices.
  • Supports and implements planned studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time.
  • Establishes and maintains an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques and that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.
  • Assists with classroom management, arrangement, organization, and labeling materials.
  • Assists with completion of classroom inventory quarterly; and the selection of materials and equipment to support instruction and children's learning using environmental assessments to guide decisions.

Minimum & Preferred Requirements
  • High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) and a minimum of 6 college credit hours in Early Childhood Education required
  • ECE Child Development Associate (CDA) or comparable credential (Minimum: Gateways Level 2 ECE credential) preferred
  • Must have prior experience working with children
  • Basic knowledge of child growth and development as well as developmentally appropriate practices for children ages 2-5.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret state and Local Standards as well as State and local licensing requirements.
  • Ability to build rapport with children, families, and colleagues.

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA's commitment to child abuse prevention by:
  • Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
  • Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
  • Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
  • Completing all child abuse prevention training as required

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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