Head Start Teacher Jobs

Head Start Teacher jobs are open across early childhood education and nonprofit human services, from assistant and associate levels to lead and master teachers, with specializations in infant-toddler care, special education inclusion, and dual-language instruction. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles566+
Top stateNew York
Top cityBrooklyn, NY
Work type93% On-site
Top industryGovernment
Companies hiring100+

Showing 5 of 566+ Head Start Teacher jobs

ICF
Head Start Grantee Specialist- Service Area XI AI/AN
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ICF
New 7h ago
Head Start Grantee Specialist- Service Area XI AI/AN
ICF
Reston, Virginia
Business Operations
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$67k - $115k/yr
Master's degree in accounting
5,001-10,000

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Community Action Partnership of North Alabama
Pre-K Teacher-Moulton Head Start-Lawrence County
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Community Action Partnership of North Alabama
New 11h ago
Pre-K Teacher-Moulton Head Start-Lawrence County
Community Action Partnership of North Alabama
Moulton, Alabama
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
$17.48 - $31.64/hr
Bachelor's degree in special education
201-500

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C
Early Head Start Teaching Assistant
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C
New 12h ago
Early Head Start Teaching Assistant
Culinary Hub of Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Account Management
Customer Success
Sales
$17 - $19/hr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

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Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Head Start Itinerant Teacher: West Region
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Allegheny Intermediate Unit
New 14h ago
Head Start Itinerant Teacher: West Region
Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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Clackamas County Children's Commission
Early Head Start Teacher *Infant Toddler
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Clackamas County Children's Commission
New 22h ago
Early Head Start Teacher *Infant Toddler
Clackamas County Children's Commission
Gladstone, Oregon
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
CPR Certification
201-500

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Head Start Teacher Jobs by Experience Level

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Head Start Teacher Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • S
    South Central Missouri Community Action Agency17
  • Delta Health Alliance
    Delta Health Alliance15
  • Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County
    Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County10
  • JBS INTERNATIONAL
    JBS INTERNATIONAL9
  • M
    Maryland Rural Development Corporation9

Top Industries Hiring

  • Government & Public Sector
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in head start teacher jobs.

  • Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an associate degree in early childhood education
  • Knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and school readiness goals
  • Experience conducting developmental screenings using tools such as ASQ or DECA
  • Ability to implement and document individualized education plans for children with disabilities
  • Proficiency with child assessment and program management software used in early childhood settings
  • Experience conducting home visits and building goal-oriented relationships with families

Tips for Your Head Start Teacher Job Search

Tailor your resume for Head Start

List your Child Development Associate credential, any CLASS observation scores, and familiarity with the Head Start Program Performance Standards directly on your resume. Hiring managers scan for these first because they signal you can step in without extra compliance training.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists head start teacher openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target grantee and delegate agencies separately

Head Start programs run through both direct federal grantees and their delegate agencies, which hire independently. Search for both types so you don't miss openings at community action agencies, tribal organizations, or migrant and seasonal program operators in your area.

Document family engagement work concretely

Head Start places heavy weight on family partnership competencies. Describe specific home visit frequencies, parent committee involvement you facilitated, or referrals you made to community services. Vague claims like 'strong communicator' won't stand out the way documented outcomes do.

Prepare a teaching philosophy tied to PFCE

Interviewers often ask how you involve families in children's learning. Frame your answer around the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement framework rather than general classroom philosophy. Showing you know the federal framework signals readiness to meet program goals from day one.

Negotiate start dates around enrollment cycles

Most Head Start programs open in late summer with enrollment tied to the federal program year. If you're negotiating a start date, align it with that cycle and ask about onboarding timelines. Starting mid-year can mean joining a fully formed classroom with less orientation support.

Head Start Teacher Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most head start teachers?

The most active employers for head start teachers right now are South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, Delta Health Alliance, and Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, and the most openings are in New York, California, and Missouri, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Program size and federal funding cycles drive hiring volume, so activity can shift significantly from one quarter to the next.

How many head start teacher jobs are remote?

About 7% of head start teacher openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most classroom and home-visit roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include curriculum coordination, family services management, and program coaching positions rather than direct classroom teaching.

How do you become a head start teacher?

Start by earning at least a Child Development Associate credential, which is the federal minimum for many assistant teacher roles, then work toward an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education to qualify for lead teacher positions. Gain classroom experience with children ages birth to five, complete any required health and safety clearances, and familiarize yourself with the Head Start Program Performance Standards before applying.

Can you get hired as a head start teacher with little experience?

Yes, many programs hire candidates with limited experience into assistant or associate teacher roles, especially those who already hold a CDA credential or are actively enrolled in an early childhood education program. Volunteering at a community childcare center, completing a practicum, or working as a substitute in a Head Start classroom are concrete ways to build relevant hours that strengthen your application.

What does the head start teacher interview process look like?

Most programs use a structured interview with competency-based questions focused on child development knowledge, family engagement approaches, and how you handle classroom behavior. You may also complete a brief written scenario or be asked to demonstrate a classroom activity. A background check, health screening, and references from supervisors in early childhood settings are standard before an offer is extended.

Where can I find and apply to head start teacher jobs?

You can find and apply to head start teacher jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from programs across the United States. Search for roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits. Checking back regularly is useful because new positions are added as programs receive funding and enrollment cycles open.

See All 566+ Head Start Teacher Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Head Start Teacher Jobs