La Jolla, California
Posted: 12-May-26
Location: LAKE FOREST, Illinois
Type: Full Time
Salary: $20-$25 Hourly
Categories:
Preferred Education:
LFCDS, located on a 30-acre campus about 30 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational independent day school serving 413 students from age two through eighth grade. The School has a long tradition of producing thoughtful, confident, and successful students. Children are known, loved, and challenged at LFCDS, and a state-of-the-art facility provides a remarkable setting for inspired teaching, academic rigor, and attention to individual needs.
1st STEP Assistant Teacher (Early Childhood Program, Ages 2–3)
Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS) is seeking a dedicated 1st STEP Assistant Teacher to guide our youngest learners, ages 2–3, in a nurturing, developmentally responsive environment.
Position Overview
The 1st STEP program provides a thoughtful bridge between early physical and emotional development and the emerging cognitive phase of learning for two- and young three-year-old children. Through music, movement, exploration, and purposeful play, children develop social, language, and pre-academic skills in a structured yet joyful setting.
This is a 3-day program position with additional teaching responsibilities to support a full-time schedule from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Program Philosophy
The 1st STEP program emphasizes:
- Transition from parallel to interactive play
- Language development as a tool for communication and self-expression
- Respect for self, others, and the environment
- Development of gross and fine motor skills
- Strong partnerships between school and home
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Lead Teacher in a classroom serving children ages 2–3, helping to maintain a warm, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment
• Assist in promoting children’s growth across social/emotional, cognitive, physical, and language domains
• Help implement curriculum based in play-based, experiential learning
• Encourage the development of self-confidence, independence, and respectful interactions through daily support and guidance
• Model appropriate behavior and help guide children using clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and gentle redirection
• Collaborate with the teaching team to ensure a cohesive and supportive classroom environment
• Communicate with families through daily updates and assist in preparing for formal conferences
Professional and Personal Qualifications
- DCFS credentialing required for teaching in a 2–3-year-old program (or willingness to obtain)
- Completion of Gateway to Opportunity trainings (or willingness to obtain)
- Demonstrated experience working with toddlers (ages 2–3) preferred
- Foundational understanding of early childhood development
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to support effective collaboration with lead teachers and colleagues
- Warm, patient, and responsive approach to working with young children
- Genuine enthusiasm and affinity for supporting the growth and development of young learners
- Ability to assist with implementing creative, engaging classroom activities and support positive behavior management strategies
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in supporting classroom routines and responsibilities
- Openness to feedback and a commitment to ongoing professional growth and learning
- Good judgment, reliability, and developing emotional maturity
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and actively participate in the broader school community
- Progress toward or completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (preferred or required, depending on context)
- Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information
Salary Range: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, with a comprehensive benefits package including tuition remission for the employee's dependents.
Mission Statement: Through inspired teaching and partnership with families, Lake Forest Country Day School nurtures a love of learning and builds a foundation of strong character, preparing students to navigate their path with purpose.
Core Beliefs:
Childhood is championed: We center all we do on what is best for our students, protecting and building upon the magic of these precious years.
Community is our core: Honest and respectful relationships, formed through conversation and collaboration, build trust and a sense of belonging – honoring the dignity of every person.
Curiosity is a gift: Wonder is an animating force that resides in every person and should be modeled and nurtured to stimulate self-discovery, spark innovation, and drive creativity.
We aim high: Raising expectations activates the great potential we see in every person and elicits efforts that result in individual growth and the collective success of our community.
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, and the names of three professional references (personal statement optional) in PDF format to the attention of Abby Acuna, Head of Early Childhood, at: abby.acuna@lfcds.org
Lake Forest Country Day School seeks and embraces diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body. LFCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.
