151 Best childcare assistant Jobs in Chicago, Illinois (December 2025)

ELA Admin Assistant

19 days ago

Chicago

Job DescriptionPosition Summary: Casa Central’s Early Learning Academy (Center-Based program option) provides high quality, comprehensive early childhood education and childcare services for young children, ages two to five, and their families. The Administrative Assistant provides clerical support, such managing databases, answering phones, typing, scheduling appointments, photocopying, faxing, filing, handling correspondence, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, greeting visitors, answering telephone calls and providing information to callers, supporting program data management and eligibility determination, collecting parent payments, etc., to ensure that the program runs effectively and efficiently. This position is a shared role, split 50/50 between the Human Resources Department and the Early Learning Academy. The Administrative Assistant provides clerical, reception, and program support that ensures smooth and efficient operations for both areas. HR-related duties are charged at the approved rate for the Receptionist role, in alignment with operational functions that support agency-wide administrative needs. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include the following, other duties as assigned: General Administrative Tasks Approve time sheet and ensure compliance with agency and funder guidelines, ensuring that daily activities are within the allowable activities approved by the agency. Prepare and maintain records and reports necessary for the program. Maintain office and program area in manner appropriate to the standards of the organization. Interpret and act on administrative decisions and policies. Read and prepare reports on breakdowns of data and summarize information to facilitate review by the administration. Examine and check reports and databases for completeness and accuracy; determine compliance with established requirements and conduct follow-ups on discrepancies. Give information to the public and staff members on questions not requiring attention of administration. Establish and maintain a complete and detailed filing and data management system. Take meeting minutes. Program-Specific Activities Ensure compliance with all Early/Head Start Program Performance Standards, including as interpreted by Start Early, as well as with relevant federal, state, city, and accrediting/licensing body regulations and requirements. Engage in Active Supervision strategies to support the safety, wellbeing, and appropriate supervision/oversight of children at all times. Act in accordance with the program’s Standards of Conduct, building respectful relationships with families, honoring parents/caregivers as their children’s first and most important teachers, and maintaining strict child, family and staff confidentiality at all times. Provide appropriate information and referrals on phone inquiries ranging from routine matters to complaint problems of a delicate nature. Complete data entry and support acceptance of childcare co-payments. Program Support Assist program director to successfully fulfill their role as leader, manager and overseer of resources at the site. Support with socialization and parent meeting activities, including scheduling, ordering food and supplies, welcoming participants, etc. Performance & Quality Management Nurture positive and collaborative working relationships with other agency staff and outside stakeholders and partners. Implement the agency mission, philosophy, and core values to direct daily work and decision-making. Adhere to agency policy. Cultivate a professional and respectful work environment. Be actively involved with, and knowledgeable about, the agency’s Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) structure and process. Community Outreach Actively and enthusiastically support recruitment efforts to ensure that the program is fully enrolled year-round, including periodically attending health fairs, resource fairs, and community events, including evening and weekend events to connect with families and share information about early childhood programming. Child Care Access & Security Support Responsible for buzzing employees and childcare participants in as well as checking them in/out. Additionally, issue security passes to all visitors while following the agency’s established policy and procedures about giving access to Child Care facility when a request to see a child is made. Responsive to the special needs of the Child Care Facility. Use good judgement when requests to see children in the Child Care Facility are made and immediately notifies Child Care staff before giving access to the facility. Follows the Agency’s established policy and procedures in regard to giving access to the Child Care facility when a request to see a child is made. Buzzes childcare participants into secured Child Care facility. Child Care check-in and check-out. Issues security passes to all visitors and have them signed in and out in the visitor log. Receptionist Tasks The receptionist is responsible for providing excellent customer service by answering and transferring phone calls courteously and professionally while encouraging callers to leave messages or call back when needed. They maintain a welcoming and helpful tone, ensuring that all inquiries are directed to the appropriate staff or department. In support of administrative operations, the receptionist manages daily office tasks such as sorting/coordinating mailing and postage needs, ordering supplies, and preparing employee anniversary and birthday communications. They also assist with agency engagement events and ensure internal communication runs smoothly across departments. The role includes maintaining accurate records of incoming packages and donations, completing in-kind forms upon request, and coordinating with facilities to ensure timely delivery to the correct staff. Additionally, the receptionist directs job applicants to Casa Central’s website and provides guidance on completing applications. As part of quality and performance efforts, the receptionist tracks community inquiries and needs, compiles service metrics—including walk-ins, calls, and referrals—and presents quarterly data to the PQI committee. They actively contribute to the agency’s continuous improvement initiatives and integrated service delivery efforts through participation in the Quality Improvement Cycle (QIC). Overall, this position supports agency operations by maintaining organization, facilitating communication, and ensuring a positive and efficient front-line experience for employees, visitors, and community members. General Requirements: Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Will be subject to pre-employment screening that includes a medical, lift and drug and alcohol screening, as well as aptitude and skills’ testing, where applicable. Education/Experience: High School graduate, or GED and 2-3 years of experience in office setting or administrative support; AA degree in Business Administration preferred. Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, business equipment and of English, spelling and math. Familiarity with elementary principles of business and accounting. Good judgment in making decisions, recognizing established procedures and resourcefulness in meeting problems. Ability to work effectively under pressure. Ability to handle administrative details independently, including composition of important letters and memoranda without dictation. Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others and the public. Careful attention to detail required. Language Skills: Bilingual Spanish preferred. Computer Literacy & Knowledge Skills Abilities: Word processing; spreadsheets; internet skills; data entry skills and in managing Microsoft applications to facilitate communication. Preferred knowledge of ChildPlus or other online database systems. Mathematical Skills Basic mathematical skills are required. Operating Environment and Working Relationships: Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member. Ability to establish relationships with families from diverse backgrounds. Acts as clerical assistant to the Administrator establishing and maintaining daily schedule, screening calls, mail, and unscheduled visitors, as well as handling routine inquiries. Shows initiative and otherwise relieves supervisor of clerical detail and minor administrative matters while acting only on general instructions. Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards preferred. Decision Making Authority: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or scheduled form and convey needed information with stakeholders in a manner which improves early learning experience for children/families. People Management Ability to utilize reflective practices to provide support to volunteers, interns, and team members. Strong people skills, ability to express oneself clearly and effectively, superior interpersonal abilities, ability to get along with diverse persons and personalities. Must be tactful, mature and flexible. Remote Work/Technology (WIFI)/Mobile Phone Usage: Not eligible for remote work. A personal mobile phone is not required and therefore not eligible for mobile phone reimbursement. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands. Must be able to lift and carry up to 25lbs. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Disclaimer: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. The content of this job description is not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

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