Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in Illinois
Early Childhood Teacher jobs in Illinois are consistently in demand, concentrated in public school districts, licensed childcare centers, Head Start programs, and private preschools, with openings at every level from classroom assistant through lead teacher and program director. Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield anchor most of the hiring, and large employers with a durable presence in the state include Chicago Public Schools, KinderCare Education, and Bright Horizons Family Solutions. The most sought-after specialties are infant and toddler development, special education inclusion, and bilingual early childhood instruction. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 114+ Early Childhood Teacher jobs
Infant Assistant Teacher – Early Childhood Education
Love Children? Looking for a Career That Makes a Difference Every Day?
Children's Learning Place is searching for caring, energetic, and enthusiastic Assistant Teachers to join our growing team! If you have a passion for helping young children learn, grow, and succeed, this is your opportunity to be part of a fun, supportive, and rewarding early childhood environment.
At Children's Learning Place, we believe every child deserves a nurturing and engaging start in life. As an Assistant Teacher, you'll play a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for children while working alongside dedicated educators who are committed to excellence in early childhood education.
Why You'll Love Working Here:
- Positive, family-oriented workplace culture
- Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement
- Supportive leadership and collaborative team environment
- Meaningful work that impacts children's lives every day
- A place where your creativity, compassion, and ideas are valued
What You'll Do:
- Assist Lead Teachers in creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment.
- Support children in daily routines, learning activities, and classroom experiences.
- Encourage children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through play and exploration.
- Help prepare classroom materials and learning centers.
- Build positive relationships with children, families, and fellow team members.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
- Supervise children and ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
- Celebrate milestones, encourage curiosity, and make learning fun every day!
We're Looking For Someone Who:
✔ Loves working with children and helping them learn and grow
✔ Brings positive energy, patience, and enthusiasm to the classroom
✔ Is dependable, flexible, and a strong team player
✔ Enjoys learning and growing professionally
✔ Communicates effectively with children, families, and coworkers
✔ Has a caring heart and a passion for early childhood education
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Early Childhood Education coursework, CDA, or related experience preferred
- Experience working with young children is a plus, but a positive attitude and willingness to learn are equally important
- Ability to meet state licensing requirements
- CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain
- Hours are approximately 30-35 hours a week-11 to 6 or 12 to 6
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Pay: $17.05 - $18.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- ECE: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
- English (Required)
Work Location: In person
Infant Assistant Teacher – Early Childhood Education
Love Children? Looking for a Career That Makes a Difference Every Day?
Children's Learning Place is searching for caring, energetic, and enthusiastic Assistant Teachers to join our growing team! If you have a passion for helping young children learn, grow, and succeed, this is your opportunity to be part of a fun, supportive, and rewarding early childhood environment.
At Children's Learning Place, we believe every child deserves a nurturing and engaging start in life. As an Assistant Teacher, you'll play a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for children while working alongside dedicated educators who are committed to excellence in early childhood education.
Why You'll Love Working Here:
- Positive, family-oriented workplace culture
- Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement
- Supportive leadership and collaborative team environment
- Meaningful work that impacts children's lives every day
- A place where your creativity, compassion, and ideas are valued
What You'll Do:
- Assist Lead Teachers in creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment.
- Support children in daily routines, learning activities, and classroom experiences.
- Encourage children's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through play and exploration.
- Help prepare classroom materials and learning centers.
- Build positive relationships with children, families, and fellow team members.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment.
- Supervise children and ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
- Celebrate milestones, encourage curiosity, and make learning fun every day!
We're Looking For Someone Who:
✔ Loves working with children and helping them learn and grow
✔ Brings positive energy, patience, and enthusiasm to the classroom
✔ Is dependable, flexible, and a strong team player
✔ Enjoys learning and growing professionally
✔ Communicates effectively with children, families, and coworkers
✔ Has a caring heart and a passion for early childhood education
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Early Childhood Education coursework, CDA, or related experience preferred
- Experience working with young children is a plus, but a positive attitude and willingness to learn are equally important
- Ability to meet state licensing requirements
- CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain
- Hours are approximately 30-35 hours a week-11 to 6 or 12 to 6
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Pay: $17.05 - $18.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- ECE: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
- English (Required)
Work Location: In person
See All 114+ Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Early Childhood Teacher JobsEarly Childhood Teacher Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Early Childhood Teacher Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Kensington School15
- Brightpoint13
- JCC Chicago7
- Kiddie Academy5
- SAL Community Services5
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in early childhood teacher jobs across Illinois.
- Active Illinois Professional Educator License with Early Childhood Education endorsement required
- Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a closely related field preferred
- Experience working with children ages birth through eight in a licensed setting
- Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards and curriculum frameworks
- CPR and first aid certification current and maintained throughout employment
- Ability to pass Illinois State Police and FBI background checks before hire
Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a early childhood teacher in Illinois?
You become an early childhood teacher in Illinois by earning a Professional Educator License with an Early Childhood Education endorsement through the Illinois State Board of Education. This requires completing an approved teacher preparation program at the bachelor's level and passing the Illinois Licensure Testing System exams, including the Early Childhood Education content area test. Licensed programs at institutions such as National Louis University and Illinois State University are common pathways recognized by the state.
How much do early childhood teachers make in Illinois?
Early childhood teachers in Illinois earn a median of about $40,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $36,030 for the lowest 10% to over $60,890 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire early childhood teachers in Illinois?
Employers hiring early childhood teachers in Illinois right now include Kensington School, Brightpoint, and JCC Chicago, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's large network of publicly funded Head Start and Early Head Start grantees, along with Chicago Public Schools' PreK programs, creates steady hiring volume across the state year-round.
Which Illinois cities have the most early childhood teacher jobs?
Chicago, Carpentersville, and Evanston have the most early childhood teacher openings in Illinois. Chicago accounts for the largest share because of the scale of Chicago Public Schools' early childhood programs, its dense concentration of licensed childcare centers, and the headquarters of national providers like Bright Horizons and KinderCare that staff suburban and city sites alike, which also drives openings in surrounding communities.
Are there remote early childhood teacher jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Early childhood teaching is fundamentally hands-on and requires in-person presence with young children, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of early childhood teacher openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those that exist tend to be in curriculum development, early intervention consulting, or family engagement coordination rather than direct classroom instruction.
How can I get hired as a early childhood teacher in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a teacher's assistant or paraprofessional role in an Illinois public school district or licensed childcare center while completing or finishing an approved educator preparation program. Chicago Public Schools and large Head Start grantees across Cook and DuPage counties regularly hire classroom aides who move into lead teacher positions once they earn their Illinois Professional Educator License. Holding a Child Development Associate credential, even before completing a full degree, strengthens early applications considerably.
Where can I find and apply to early childhood teacher jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to early childhood teacher jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across school districts, childcare centers, Head Start programs, and private preschools. Find roles that fit your experience and credential level and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 114+ Early Childhood Teacher Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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