Children’s Home & Aid invites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leading child and family service agency with more than 20 locations across Illinois, our mission is to advance the well-being of children by investing in families to disrupt the systemic and multi-generational cycle of racial, social and economic inequality. 

Our full-time staff receive competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including a paid leave accrual rate that starts at two weeks annually and grows to more than five weeks of paid time off each year, as well as a paid winter break that occurs the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. We strive to hold ourselves and each other accountable for fostering an inclusive work culture where we can be our authentic selves, where we create and have equitable opportunities, and where our voices are supported and encouraged.

The Child Care Worker implements the Crisis Nursery program to ensure the safety, wellbeing, basic needs and general care of children ages birth through six years attending the Crisis Nursery programming. The Child Care Worker for the Crisis Nursery also works closely with the parents of the children to assess immediate family needs, make referrals for services and identify community resources that may reduce stressors impacting their ability to care for their child(ren).

What you'll do:

• Ensure the daily routine of the Crisis Nursery is followed while supervising and monitoring the safety, care and wellbeing of the children entrusted to your care.
• Prepare meals and organize mealtimes and snacks for children.
• Assist children with keeping good hygiene and toileting including diaper changes.
• Develop schedules and routines to ensure that children have enough physical activity, rest and playtime while at the Crisis Nursery.
• Provide nurturing, age appropriate and stimulating activities for infants, toddlers and young children.
• Coordinate activities that promote the development of the infants/child’s fine and gross motor skills.
• Admit children to the program and completes relevant assessments, including the Relationship Assessment Tool, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the ASQ during the intake process.
• Discharge children and follow-up with parents regarding their use of the Crisis Nursery.
• Answer the Crisis Nursery Hotline and responds to callers expressed needs.
• Refer parents to community resources and contacts other local agencies to help clients receive assistance.
• Assist team and Crisis Nursery program staff with annual fundraising events.
• Ensure outcome surveys are completed within identified timeframes and assist with entering outcome survey data into the database.
• Assist as needed with client file organization.
• Ensure the Crisis Nursery is stocked with needed items.

Who you are:

• You are 21 years of age or older.
• You have at least one year of experience working with children, preferably birth to seven years.
• You have an Associate's Degree or Child Development Accreditation Certificate; coursework in child development, early childhood education, or childcare preferred.
• You demonstrate compassionate care to infants and children, have proficient knowledge of basic infant/child care and age appropriate behavior.
• You are able to secure and maintain a valid CPR and First Aid certification.
• You have a valid driver's license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle preferred 
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred 

The details: 

• Location: Bloomington Crisis Nursery
• Available Shifts Include: 1st shift (7AM-3PM)

• Staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to submit proof of their vaccination status before their start date unless they have an agency approved medical or religious exemption.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly: Range starts at $15.45/hour, offers are commensurate with experience.
• Noncash benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance, paid time off plus 11 paid holidays, supplemental insurance options, 401(k) with match (more benefits details here)
• Winter Break: The agency is closed between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. This paid break allows staff to spend time with their families around the holidays without using their accrued time off balances.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: Children's Home & Aid is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

Where you work matters.

You’re considering a new position, so no one knows better than you that where you work matters. We believe that by building diverse teams of passionate advocates for youth and families, we can continue to show up for Illinois families, putting those families at the center of every decision, and strengthening the communities where we all work, play, and live together. (More about who we are here.)

We invite you to become an active member of a team that supports, inspires, and challenges each other, and grow your career in an organization that celebrates emerging leaders and provides development and training opportunities aligned with your individual goals and aspirations. If you are looking for an opportunity to do meaningful work, including raising your voice to disrupt the status quo, we encourage you to apply today.

Review our agency’s blueprint for impact: