Lead Early Childhood Teacher ( Infant, Toddler, or Twos)
Company Name
**
Chicago, IL, United States
Basic
Posted about 4 hours ago
company
At Kïdo, we are redefining early childhood education by blending the world’s most respected philosophies, Reggio Emilia and Montessori, into a modern, globally inspired framework. We build beautifully designed, high-quality centers where children aren't just cared for, but are empowered to lead their own journeys of discovery, independence, and lifelong learning.
What truly sets us apart is our dual commitment: we build cutting-edge, inspiring spaces for our children, and a deeply supportive, "people-first" professional culture for our educators. As we establish our brand footprint in the Chicago market, joining our team means stepping into a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where your creativity is valued, your professional growth is actively funded, and you can play a pivotal role in shaping a world-class early learning community from the ground up.
role
Locations: Chicago, IL (River North & New West Loop Location Coming Soon!)
Job Type: Full-Time, Daycare & Preschool
Be Part of the Founding Team in Chicago!
We just opened our River North early childhood center and are preparing to launch Kïdo West Loop ! We are seeking exceptional, passionate Lead Teachers / Early Childhood Educators who want to help shape our classroom culture, curriculum implementation, and community from day one. If you are a strong educator who thrives in a collaborative childcare environment and is excited to build something special, we want to meet you.
Current openings are specifically for our Infant, Toddler, and Twos classrooms !
Lead Teacher Responsibilities Curriculum & Learning: Plan and facilitate engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences using Kïdo’s rich, easy-to-use curriculum, with plenty of room to incorporate your own creative ideas. Classroom Management: Provide responsive child care while confidently managing a dynamic, safe, and nurturing preschool classroom environment. Family Engagement: Build meaningful relationships with children and families through excellent communication, daily updates, photos, and regular parent-teacher conversations about each child’s social-emotional and cognitive growth. Nurturing Environment: Foster an inspiring early learning environment where young children thrive and hit key developmental milestones. Team Collaboration: Collaborate closely with assistant teachers and fellow staff members as part of a supportive, professional teaching team. Minimum Qualifications High School Diploma or GED. Experience: Proven experience teaching or working in a licensed preschool, daycare, or childcare setting. Age Requirement: At least 19 years of age (to meet state licensing guidelines for lead roles). Licensing: Lead Teacher Qualified per Illinois DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) regulations . Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) , Child Development, Elementary Education, or a related field; or a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential . Background: 5–10 years of teaching experience in a licensed childcare program, or 2–3 years of experience in a Montessori school setting. Language Skills: Bilingual (fluent in Spanish and English) is a plus (reading, writing, and speaking).
Why Join Kïdo? We are a people-first childcare organization—our early childhood educators are at the heart of everything we do.
What we offer our teaching team:
Competitive Pay: Based on education, ECE credentials, and experience. Career Growth: Direct pathways for advancement into curriculum specialty or assistant director roles. Childcare Benefit: Free tuition for your children (18 months–5 years). Classroom Support: Smaller teacher-to-child ratios than Illinois state requirements to support meaningful interactions and stress-free planning time. Resources: Fully stocked teacher lounge with healthy snacks and a classroom supply cabinet with bi-weekly ordering options. Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, comprehensive paid training, and two dedicated school-wide professional development days each year. Referral Perks: $500 referral bonus when you refer a new team member.
Full-time team members also receive:
Your birthday off! Up to 3 weeks of paid time off (PTO) in your first year. Paid holidays. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with generous employer contributions. Free short-term disability and life insurance. Annual tenure bonuses. If you’re a passionate preschool teacher ready to help build and lead a high-quality program from the very beginning, apply today to join our Chicago founding team!
Discover more About Kïdo by visiting our website at : https://kidoschools.com/us/
Apply on our website at: https://apply.workable.com/kidoschools/j/E62360A541/
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in our care, the successful candidate is expected to undergo an enhanced fingerprint-based background check. Kido is an equal opportunity employer.
Early Childhood Center Director
Company Name
**
Chicago, IL, United States
Basic
Posted about 4 hours ago
company
At Kido River North, we provide a truly global early childhood education experience that inspires curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. As part of Kido's international network of schools, our students benefit from a world-class curriculum that thoughtfully combines the best practices of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and other internationally recognized educational approaches .
If you're passionate about shaping the future of early childhood education, Kido River North is a place where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact every day.
role
We're looking for an exceptional leader to join our team as Center Director.
Position Summary The Center Director is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and success of the preschool. This role oversees school operations, enrollment, financial performance, regulatory compliance, curriculum implementation, and staff development while ensuring every child receives exceptional care and education.
As the leader of the school, you will build a positive culture for teachers, develop strong partnerships with families, and create an engaging learning environment where children and staff can thrive.
What You'll Do Lead, coach, and develop teachers and administrative staff while fostering a positive, high-performing school culture. Oversee all daily school operations to ensure exceptional care, education, and customer service. Build strong relationships with families and create an outstanding parent experience. Drive enrollment growth through tours, community outreach, and family engagement initiatives. Manage the school's budget, financial performance, and operational goals. Ensure compliance with Illinois DCFS licensing (407), health and safety regulations, and company policies. Partner with Kido's Curriculum Team to ensure high-quality curriculum implementation and classroom excellence. Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain exceptional educators and school staff. Maintain a safe, organized, and well-resourced learning environment for children and employees. Represent Kido within the community while collaborating with corporate leadership to support continuous improvement and school success. Qualifications Required Must meet all qualifications for Center Director as outlined in Illinois Child Care Licensing Standards (407) . Previous experience as a Preschool Director, Child Care Center Director, Assistant Director, or School Leader. Strong knowledge of Illinois child care licensing regulations. Experience leading teams in an early childhood education environment. Demonstrated success with enrollment growth, family engagement, and staff development. Strong financial and operational management skills. Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building abilities. Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Business, or a related field preferred. Physical Requirements Applicants must be able to:
Hear conversational speech with or without accommodation. Read printed materials with or without corrective lenses. Speak clearly and effectively. Lift and carry children or other items weighing up to 50 pounds. Bend, kneel, stoop, and work at child level throughout the day. Push, pull, and reach overhead. Assist with emergency evacuations and respond quickly during emergency situations. Background Check As part of our commitment to safeguarding children, employment is contingent upon successfully completing an enhanced fingerprint-based background check and all required pre-employment screenings.
Why Join Kido? At Kido River North, you'll lead a passionate team dedicated to delivering an exceptional early childhood education experience inspired by global best practices. You'll have the opportunity to shape the future of our school, support the growth of educators, build lasting relationships with families, and make a meaningful impact on children's lives every day.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in our care, the successful candidate is expected to undergo an enhanced fingerprint-based background check
*** equal opportunity employer.