Child Development Associate, CDL

Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

About the role

Participate in the implementation of the total childcare program of the facility, working in cooperation with other Associates and under general supervision from higher-level personnel. For 75 years, the Child Development Laboratory (CDL) has been preparing young children for success by offering play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum, designed at the classroom level to meet the needs and interests of the children enrolled. The CDL facilitates student observations of children, allows select research/teaching projects to occur at the school, and serves as a center for teacher training. Since it opened, more than 4,000 children and 84,000 University of Illinois students have benefited from teaching and learning opportunities at the CDL.

When you join the CDL team, you are joining a legacy of leadership that has impacted thousands of lives. You will join a collegial atmosphere where teachers are truly supported not only through promotion opportunities, but also in daily operation support. Be part of a three-teacher team that allows you the flexibility and freedom to be creative in your teaching approach.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum
  • Participate in planning and carry out appropriate activities promoting the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of the children in accordance with licensing requirements and NAEYC standards.
  • Maintain daily communication and cooperation with parents of children (such as child’s mental and physical condition, changes in daily schedule, or child’s participation in activities).
  • Under the supervision and with the support of the Head Teacher, prepare reports on the growth and development of assigned children in preparation for parent-teacher conferences.
  • Care for classroom equipment and materials and perform necessary housekeeping tasks.
  • Cooperate with research activities by providing information or directing the children to participate in a requested activity.
  • Participate in staff meetings with higher-level personnel and work cooperatively with other staff members.
• Daily Caregiving
  • Supervise children to safeguard their health and safety.
  • Provide for the physical needs of the children (such as supervising feeding, dressing, naps, and other activities).
• Adult Supervision
  • Participate in training and evaluation of student staff.
  • Substitute for higher-level personnel, if needed and qualified.
• Physical Demands and Working Conditions
  • Work outdoors occasionally.
  • Physical demands include frequent bending & stooping, reaching above shoulder level, kneeling, balancing, keyboarding, squatting, crawling, crouching, lifting up to 35 pounds with occasional weights up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Possession of credentials required by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for employment as a Child Care Worker in a licensed child care facility. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services required credentials can be reviewed at: http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/089/089004070D01400R.html.

Skills

• Demonstrate the skill and competence necessary to contribute to each child's physical, intellectual, personal, emotional, and social development, including:
  • Emotional maturity when working with children;
  • Cooperation with the purposes and services of the program;
  • Respect for children and adults;
  • Flexibility, understanding, and patience;
  • Physical and mental health that do not interfere with child care responsibilities;
  • Good personal hygiene;
  • Frequent interaction with children;
  • Listening skills, availability, and responsiveness to children;
  • Sensitivity to children's socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, and individual needs and capabilities;
  • Use of positive discipline and guidance techniques; and
  • Ability to provide an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy, and involved in play, recreation, and other activities.
• Demonstrate skill and competence necessary to assume direct responsibility for child care, including:
  • Skills to help children meet their developmental and emotional needs;
  • Skills in planning, directing, and conducting programs that meet the children's basic needs; and
  • Ability to communicate effectively to respond appropriately to others’ needs and concerns, including communicating with parents about each child’s growth and development.
• Ability to supervise persons assigned to assist their group who are not similarly qualified.
• Ability to participate in activities leading to professional growth in child development and education, and in training related to the specific needs of the children served.

Benefits

Benefits-eligible employees participate in a comprehensive set of State of Illinois and University of Illinois group benefit programs, including:

• Retirement: Participation in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) with an employer contribution.
• Insurance:
  • State group health, dental, and vision insurance with extended coverage for eligible dependents.
  • The State of Illinois covers much of the cost of health and dental coverage, and all of the cost of vision and basic life insurance equal to your annual salary.
  • Optional benefits such as additional term life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and long-term disability.
• Paid Time Off:
  • Nine designated paid holidays plus two floating holidays yearly.
  • Up to twelve days of vacation per year.
  • Up to twelve paid sick leave days to care for yourself, a member of your household, or other eligible family member.
  • Paid parental leave up to six weeks per academic year, immediately following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
  • Other paid time off includes bereavement, military duty, and jury duty.
• Education:
  • Eligibility for a tuition waiver benefit to continue your education.
  • Release time from work to continue your education may be arranged.
  • Employees with at least seven years of service can apply for a 50% tuition waiver for dependent children.
• Support Services: Faculty/Staff Assistance services provide personal, professional, and confidential assistance to staff and their household members experiencing problems that interfere with work or well-being.

For additional details, see Go.uillinois.edu/BenefitHighlights.

Pay

The collective bargaining agreement sets a wage of $35,470.50.

Schedule

• This is a 100% full-time Civil Service position, appointed on a 12-month basis.
• Expected start date is as soon as possible after 8/17/2026.
• Work is expected to be performed on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.