Collaborate with classroom staff and children in developing and implementing programs and activities that reflect the children’s interests. Provide a safe, nurturing environment where children and their families feel welcomed, accepted and encouraged to explore. The Preschool teacher will provide a quality early learning experience following the framework provided by the Creative Curriculum. The Preschool Teacher will investigate, explore and question alongside the child and assist the child as they make sense of the world in which they live.
Responsibilities/Duties
Support a classroom climate/community that will benefit the overall healthy growth and development of the child.
Create an enriching environment for young children to explore, investigate and play.
Co-plan and share activities that are developmentally appropriate for young children utilizing the Creative Curriculum framework and the IL Early Leaning and Development Standards.
Support open communication and professional relationships with co-teachers and staff
Collect documentation to showcase children’s continued growth and development
Comply with regulation and quality requirements.
Assess classroom effectiveness
Support children who are newly learning to potty train
Ensure the safety of the children at all times
Cultivate positive relationships with parents and families
Educational/Preparation Qualifications
- Meet DCFS teacher requirements; Associates or Bachelor’s degree in ECE preferred
- Extra consideration given to bi-lingual Spanish speaker
- Knowledge of child development
- Familiarity of ELDS, Ages & Stages, and Creative Curriculum preferred
- Complete all DCFS requirements for employment
- Knowledge of basic computer skills and applications
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational and written communication skills
- Skills in listening, engaging and building rapport with others
- Appreciation for details and follow through
Terms of Employment
Competitive salary and benefits reviewed annually by the Executive Director.
HPC Employee Benefits Summary
Updated 2/13/26
Health Benefits
HP Community provides:
- 60% of the employee’s individual medical premium through Blue Cross Blue Shield
- 50% of Individual United Healthcare Term Life Insurance premium
- 50% of Individual Delta Dental Insurance premium
- Option to purchase vision insurance at a very low cost
Sick/Personal Day Benefits
- Each employee receives 10 sick days (two weeks) and 5 personal days (1 week). Time off is accrued throughout the year starting after the employee has completed the probationary period.
- In addition to the aforementioned time off, employees are paid when the center is closed for:
- Summer Break – 2 weeks (week of July 4th and 1 week in August)
- Winter Break – 1 week
- Spring Break – 1 week
- Scheduled to coincide with North Shore School District 112’s calendar.
- Paid Holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday AND Friday), Christmas
Professional Development Benefits
- Professional development funds are available to all employees at a minimum of $200 per person but often much higher than that. We work with our CCR&R to cover the cost of higher caliber trainings that better meet the needs of our more experienced staff.
- On-site Training
- Beginning of the school year in-service training day
- Mid-year in-service training day – usually includes CPR/First Aid training
Other Benefits
New State-of-the-Art Facility – Gold Circle of Quality with ExceleRate IL for 5+ years
- HP Community moved into its new construction facility in November, 2019
- 2.8 acres for natural exploration around the center
- Fenced in updated playground area
- Private meeting space with phone and internet available
- On-site parking with surveillance
Programming
- Screening tools – Ages & Stages and/or DIAL 3, and Ages & Stages Social-Emotional
- Researched based curriculum – Creative Curriculum
- Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment tool
- Paid planning time away from children (when fully staffed)
- Professional library on site
- Access to computer, tablet, printer, and internet (WiFi) throughout center
Support Services
- Mental Health Consultant – 10 hours per month
- Observation windows and cameras throughout facility
Staff
- Highly trained/educated – 30% - Masters
- 8% - BA with some graduate level courses
- 30% - BA
- 22% - Some college level courses
- 10% - High school diploma with additional training in ECE
- Average tenure – 8 years
- Evaluations – mid-year, peer-to-peer, and annual reviews
- Opportunities for special projects and outings (staff oriented and child focused experiences)
- Promotional products provided – t-shirts, fleeces, water bottles, class photos, etc.
- Staff Appreciation and Recognition
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 - $25.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Lead Teaching: 1 year (Required)
- Childcare: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Highland Park, IL 60035 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
