Illinois Residency Requirement: This position requires Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date.

The Early Childhood Center (ECC), located on the beautiful campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), provides full-day, year-round early childhood care and education for the children of students, faculty, staff, and others in the University community, ages two through five.

The ECC recognizes the potential of each child and the vital contributions parents make to the ECC community. Our philosophy is strongly influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach. Our work with children and families is grounded in our commitments to nurturing trusting relationships. We are devoted to growing a deeply connected community that allows intellectual and emotional risk-taking. We emphasize a joyful, playful climate with a culture of intellectual inquiry and critical thinking.

Our program is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), has a Gold Circle of Quality through IL ExceleRate and is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

The ECC has a three-pronged mission:

• To provide quality care and education for children of the University community, ages two through five.
• To assist student parents with their goal of obtaining a college degree by providing them with convenient and affordable childcare and connecting them to resources
• To serve as a demonstration site for research, observation and practicum purposes.

Classroom Teaching Responsibilities:

Teachers at the ECC work in a co-teaching model (two teachers plus student aides for classroom support). Professional collaboration plays a key role in the operation of a smooth classroom environment.

• Curriculum: Project-based learning and content-area integrated learning centers are at the core of the ECC curriculum. Teachers will collaborate, intentionally plan and implement developmentally appropriate, hands-on activities, experiences, and investigations that embed the Illinois Early Learning Standards. Familiarity with The Reggio Emilia Approach or Project Approach is desired but not required.
• Assessment: Teachers collect information about each child through the collection of work samples, anecdotal note taking, checklists, photographs and videos. They prepare and keep organized files of this information. Twice a year, teachers write a Narrative Summary Report to be shared with families during formal conferences.
• The ECC is an inclusive program that enrolls students from a wide variety of backgrounds, family structures, who speak different languages and who might have a special need or diagnosed disability. Teachers are expected to fully include children into their classroom who have a variety of developmental needs. All children should feel safe, respected, and cared for when establishing the classroom community.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervise all indoor activities to ensure the safety and security of the children in your care.
• Supervise outdoor/playground activities and direct student aides to assist with playground supervision to ensure children’s safety and security.
• Mentor student interns and other University students in an effort to guide them in their professional development. Teachers guide, support, and describe appropriate behaviors and effective practice to students as they connect theory with practice.
• Supervise and mentor student aides working in the classroom, modeling for them direct, positive interactions with the children and demonstrating how they can best support you in the daily schedule.
• Follow all ECC policies about conducting research in order to assist faculty/graduate students with data collection.
• Assist with the responsibility for the overall operation of the Early Childhood Center in the rare absence of administrators in order to remain in compliance with State of Illinois Licensing Guidelines.

This position is a current 12-month civil service vacancy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

SIUE offers an exceptional array of benefits to all full-time and part-time employees (50% or more receive benefits accrued at percentage of appointment) including:
*Medical, dental and vision insurance; 
*Life insurance;
*University tuition waivers;
*SURS retirement plan;
*Supplemental retirement savings plans;
*Paid vacation and sick leave accrual;
*Generous holiday schedule/paid holidays;
*WorkLife programs;
*Employee Assistance Program (mental health and wellness);
*Employee discounts (local and national retailers).
For more about our benefits and employee services, visit: https://www.siue.edu/human-resources/benefits   

To Apply for this Vacancy:
This position is a Civil Service vacancy. It closes to applicants at 11:59 p.m. CST on the posting end date.  When applying through the HireTouch system, please be sure to complete updated 2023 forms that are attached to the job located under your Applicant Profile box (refresh browser if needed).

Applicants must submit an updated and complete Civil Service Application, which must include complete employment history.  The application is the last form in the document package.  Your application should reflect a thorough list of relevant skills and experience related to the minimum qualifications listed for this position.  Please be detailed in current and past job duties, as this is what is used in the credential assessments.  While a resume may be submitted with the application, data for each employer must be listed on this application form. ("See Resume" may only be used as a substitute in the section entitled "Specific Duties Performed".)  If the Civil Service application is incomplete you will not be considered for the position as our office will be unable to evaluate your submission to determine if you possess the required minimum qualifications. 

If qualifying by education or to qualify for a required educational prerequisite, you must submit your transcripts, including those for SIUE, at the time of application. Applicants qualifying for veteran’s preference must submit a copy of form DD214 at the time of application. For additional information, please visit: Eligibility Criteria and Point Allocation and Proof of Eligibility.   Please submit any other licenses or certifications related to the position at the time of application.

Applicants will be subject to a background check and drug screening prior to an offer of employment. For more information, please visit the Office of Human Resources website at www.siue.edu/human-resources or call Civil Service Testing at 618-650-2190.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville nurtures an open, respectful, and welcoming climate that facilitates learning and work. SIUE is committed to education that explores the historic significance of diversity in order to understand the present and to better enable our community to engage the future. Integral to this commitment, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville strives for a student body and a workforce that is both diverse and inclusive. We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups, including women, members of racially minoritized groups, and individuals with disabilities, to apply.  For more on our Statement of Diversity, visit SIUE Mission, Goals and Plans 

Bachelor's Degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field. 

Current Professional Educator License (PEL) with an early childhood education endorsement.

Gateway ECE Credentional Level 5

Excellent interpersonal, nurturing, and problem solving skills.