Preschool Lead Teacher

The Green Bean Day School & Nursery is a nurturing, eco-friendly environment for children aged six-weeks to six-years old. Family owned and operated since 2009, we are Chicago’s first Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood education program. We are proud to offer high-quality childcare and education in a carefully-designed environment to support relationships among children, parents and educators.

The Green Bean is based on the internationally-acclaimed Reggio Emilia Approach, with an educational philosophy based on fostering children’s interests which combines:

• The development of verbal, motor, social and critical-thinking skills through a developmentally-appropriate, arts-integrated and play-based curriculum.

• An open and sun-filled environment, creating the perfect setting for a child to learn while discovering and engaging each of the five senses

• Collaboration with parents, teachers and students.

• Documentation of the child’s explorations and process of learning.

Long-term projects and open-ended discussions bring together language activities, social studies, science, dramatic play and artistic expression, providing young children with an environment which encourages active exploration and discovery. Together we question, investigate, negotiate, and learn. We see ourselves as teachers, caregivers and, above all, partners dedicated to working with families and helping children realize their fullest potential.

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General responsibilities for the Preschool lead teacher role include, but are not limited to:

• Developing weekly lesson plans based on the project approach that includes activities in the following areas: science, math, literacy/language, and physical development

• Following a daily classroom schedule that includes both choice time, circle time and art/sensory activities

• Providing high-quality care including changing diapers, following hand washing procedures for staff and children, participate in family style dining, and monitor the safety and wellbeing of each child

• Documenting group activities through photos, observations and teacher reflection

• Conducting regular observations for individual portfolio assessments

• Conducting parent-teacher conferences (willingness to conduct home visits if deemed appropriate)

• Direct supervision of one or more teaching assistants (including conducting regular team meetings, modeling appropriate interactions with children and parents, training teaching assistants on documentation and project work)

• Updating parent blog on a daily basis

• Participating in annual Open House and other family events at the school

• Participating in ongoing professional development (a minimum of 15 hours per year is required by DCFS)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in ECE or related field preferred (with a minimum of six semester hours in courses directly related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six)

• At least one year experience providing care and education for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years in a group childcare setting

• Knowledge of and experience with the Reggio Approach and documentation preferred

• Willingness to develop teaching skills through reflective practice

• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice

• Knowledge of DCFS licensing standards

• Maintain valid DCFS required certifications (SIDS, SBS, Food Handler, etc.)

• Three (3) written character references

• Complete a background check and fingerprinting

• Must be available to work full time between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Schedule coordinated with the Director.

• Meets all DCFS licensing requirements, per the Rules 407, including a physical examination which provides evidence that staff are free of communicable disease, including active tuberculosis, and physical or mental conditions that could affect their ability to perform assigned duties

Visit our website to learn more about our school! https://www.greenbeandayschool.com/