Center Based Child Care Specialist

About Illinois Action for Children

Make a Career Move that Makes a Difference

At Illinois Action for Children (IAFC), we believe in creating brighter futures—not just for the children and families we serve, but for the passionate professionals who join our team. As a recognized leader in early childhood education and family support services, IAFC is committed to equity, advocacy, and systemic change. Our work drives meaningful impact across communities—and when you become part of our team, you become part of that mission.

Our Benefits Package is One of the Very Best

We support our employees with a comprehensive, thoughtful benefits package that promotes financial security, personal well-being, work/life balance, and long-term professional growth.

For Your Financial Security:

• Competitive Salaries

• Rewards and Recognition Program

• 401(k) Plan with Employer Match (100% of the first 3%, plus 50% of the next 2%)

• Flexible Spending Accounts (up to $3,200 medical / $5,000 dependent care)

For Your Health and Well-Being:

• BCBS Medical Insurance: IAFC covers 95% of single coverage; multiple plan options

• Dental Insurance: IAFC covers 75% of single coverage

• Voluntary Vision Insurance & Vision Discount Program

• Group Life Insurance (fully covered, $50,000 benefit)

• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance (IAFC-paid, with generous income replacement)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Six free counseling sessions per issue

• Supplemental Life and Additional Voluntary Benefits

For True Work/Life Balance:

• Generous PTO Accrual:

  • Year 1: 23 days

  • Year 2: 28 days

  • Year 3 and beyond: 35 days

• 12 Paid Holidays 

• Ventra Transit Card 

• Credit Union Membership

• Discounted AMC Movie Tickets

For Your Future Success:

• Tuition Reimbursement (up to $3,000/year), including tuition, books, lab fees, workshops, and certifications

• Ongoing Training & Professional Development Opportunities

• Career Advancement Pathways Within the Organization

When you join IAFC, you're not just starting a job—you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in your growth while empowering you to help others thrive.

About the Role:

The Center Based Child Care Specialist leads IAFC’s work to build the capacity and support the quality improvement of the agency’s early childhood partner sites.   These sites are private childcare centers that IAFC supports through staffing, coaching and quality improvement resources.  This individual is responsible for managing contracts for each partner center while enforcing the contracts terms and resolving non-compliances.  The Center Based Child Care Specialist builds collaboration partnerships between IAFC and each assigned partner sites, develops practice systems that align sites operation to IAFC’s vision for quality, develops and implements quality action plans for each partner site to achieve ExceleRate Gold and or national accreditation and improve whole site quality.   

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development (CD), Early Childhood Education (ECE) or in a related field.
• Master’s Degree strongly preferred.
• At least two years of Early Childhood management experience.
• At least one year of supervisory and/or adult learning experience.
• A minimum of two years of project management experience is required.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement age-appropriate educational activities and programs for children.
• Monitor and assess children's development and behavior, providing feedback to parents and guardians.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and engaging environment for children to explore and learn.
• Collaborate with other staff members to create a cohesive and supportive team atmosphere.
• Communicate effectively with parents, providing updates on their child's progress and addressing any concerns.

Skills:

The required skills for this position include strong communication abilities, which are essential for interacting with children, parents, and colleagues. Organizational skills are vital for planning and executing educational activities effectively. Patience and empathy are crucial in understanding and addressing the diverse needs of children. Preferred skills, such as knowledge of child development, enhance the specialist's ability to create tailored learning experiences. Additionally, teamwork skills foster collaboration with other educators, ensuring a unified approach to child care and education.

Illinois Action for Children is EEO/M/F/V/D employer

While we desire for this job posting to be comprehensive, all aspects of the position may be amended at any time at the discretion of IAFC including job duties, work location and/or work schedule.