Head Start Teacher Jobs in Connecticut
Head Start Teacher jobs in Connecticut concentrate in early childhood education programs run by community action agencies, public school districts, and nonprofit social service organizations, with steady demand from entry-level classroom assistants through lead teachers and site supervisors. The heaviest hiring is in Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven, where Community Renewal Team, New Opportunities Inc., and the Norwalk Housing Authority's Head Start division maintain long-running programs. Family engagement, dual-language instruction, and developmental screening are among the most in-demand specialties across the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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- Assist in implementing age-appropriate curriculum. Encourage self-esteem and independence for the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of each child.
- Ensure that health, safety, and nutritional education is integrated into the overall curriculum planning.
- Provide for the care, supervision, and safety of center children, keeping classroom and equipment clean, neat, and orderly.
- Demonstrate understanding for the needs of children and families from economically and culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Puts into practice a program consistent with Head Start Performance Standards and NAEYC criteria.
- Implements program in a manner consistent with EASTCONN mission, vision, code of ethical conduct, policies and procedures.
- Have the physical ability and stamina to interact with children for up to 6-8 hours a day; e.g. to move and react quickly, to lift and/or carry a child, to sit on the floor or use child size furniture, participate in field trips and playground activities, etc.
- Understand and implement Office of Early Childhood licensing regulations.
- Experience working with families to support early learning.
- Ensure children are developing sound health and nutritional habits in daily routines and in curriculum through modeling.
- Share in meal and/or snack responsibilities as needed per site. This may include preparation, clean-up, and/or food requests to the Nutrition Consultant.
- Read, write, and communicate effectively.
- Participate in workshops, training, and professional development, as assigned.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Minimum of a CDA (Child Development Associates) Certificate plus two years relevant work experience.
- If the candidate does not have a CDA or 12 ECE credits, he/she will be put on an education plan. The candidate must acquire the appropriate credentials within 18 months of hire.
- Applicant will be responsible to start the application/enrollment process within 6 months of employment. (timeline will be noted on education plan)
- Candidate will be accountable to pay for the expenses, unless scholarship is available, as well as maintain the validity of the CDA.
Working Conditions: Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team.
EASTCONN offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees that may include:
- Medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
- Participation in the Connecticut State Partnership Health Plan (where applicable)
- Retirement plan participation
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave (as applicable)
- Paid holidays
- Employer paid life insurance and voluntary employee paid supplemental life insurance available
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Professional development opportunities
- Tuition reimbursement (where applicable)
Eligibility for benefits is based on position and scheduled hours.
At EASTCONN, we believe that diversity is key to our success. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, including those who may not meet every listed qualification. Your passion, drive, and perspective are what matter most to us.
As an EEO/AA employer, EASTCONN provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our policies.
AA/EOE
M/F/D/V
- Assist in implementing age-appropriate curriculum. Encourage self-esteem and independence for the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of each child.
- Ensure that health, safety, and nutritional education is integrated into the overall curriculum planning.
- Provide for the care, supervision, and safety of center children, keeping classroom and equipment clean, neat, and orderly.
- Demonstrate understanding for the needs of children and families from economically and culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Puts into practice a program consistent with Head Start Performance Standards and NAEYC criteria.
- Implements program in a manner consistent with EASTCONN mission, vision, code of ethical conduct, policies and procedures.
- Have the physical ability and stamina to interact with children for up to 6-8 hours a day; e.g. to move and react quickly, to lift and/or carry a child, to sit on the floor or use child size furniture, participate in field trips and playground activities, etc.
- Understand and implement Office of Early Childhood licensing regulations.
- Experience working with families to support early learning.
- Ensure children are developing sound health and nutritional habits in daily routines and in curriculum through modeling.
- Share in meal and/or snack responsibilities as needed per site. This may include preparation, clean-up, and/or food requests to the Nutrition Consultant.
- Read, write, and communicate effectively.
- Participate in workshops, training, and professional development, as assigned.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Minimum of a CDA (Child Development Associates) Certificate plus two years relevant work experience.
- If the candidate does not have a CDA or 12 ECE credits, he/she will be put on an education plan. The candidate must acquire the appropriate credentials within 18 months of hire.
- Applicant will be responsible to start the application/enrollment process within 6 months of employment. (timeline will be noted on education plan)
- Candidate will be accountable to pay for the expenses, unless scholarship is available, as well as maintain the validity of the CDA.
Working Conditions: Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team.
EASTCONN offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees that may include:
- Medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
- Participation in the Connecticut State Partnership Health Plan (where applicable)
- Retirement plan participation
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave (as applicable)
- Paid holidays
- Employer paid life insurance and voluntary employee paid supplemental life insurance available
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Professional development opportunities
- Tuition reimbursement (where applicable)
Eligibility for benefits is based on position and scheduled hours.
At EASTCONN, we believe that diversity is key to our success. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, including those who may not meet every listed qualification. Your passion, drive, and perspective are what matter most to us.
As an EEO/AA employer, EASTCONN provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our policies.
AA/EOE
M/F/D/V
See All 6 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Connecticut
Find roles in Connecticut that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Start Teacher JobsHead Start Teacher Jobs by City in Connecticut
Where Connecticut roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Start Teacher Job Market in Connecticut
A snapshot from current Connecticut openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Connecticut Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head start teacher jobs across Connecticut.
- Active Connecticut Early Childhood Teaching Credential or state-recognized equivalent certification
- Associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development
- Experience working with children ages birth to five in a licensed program
- Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and developmentally appropriate practices
- Ability to complete required Connecticut health and background screening clearances
- Familiarity with child observation tools such as Teaching Strategies GOLD
Head Start Teacher Jobs in Connecticut: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head start teacher in Connecticut?
To become a head start teacher in Connecticut, you need at minimum an associate degree in early childhood education and a Connecticut Early Childhood Teaching Credential issued through the Connecticut Charts-A-Course registry system. Most lead teacher roles require a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a closely related field. Candidates register their credentials through the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, which maintains the state's professional development registry and verifies educator qualifications for federally funded programs.
Which companies hire head start teachers in Connecticut?
Companies currently hiring head start teachers in Connecticut include EASTCONN, Whitsons Culinary, and Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Connecticut's Head Start programs are primarily operated by community action agencies and nonprofit organizations with multi-site presences across Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield counties.
Which Connecticut cities have the most head start teacher jobs?
Killingly, Meriden, and Bloomfield have the most head start teacher openings in Connecticut. Hartford dominates because it is home to several large community action agencies and has one of the state's highest concentrations of federally funded early childhood programs, while Bridgeport and New Haven drive volume through their dense low-income populations that qualify neighborhoods for Head Start funding and the sizable nonprofit networks those cities support.
Are there remote head start teacher jobs in Connecticut?
Yes, but they're rare. Head start teaching is an in-person, hands-on role centered on direct child supervision and classroom instruction, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of head start teacher openings tied to Connecticut are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively administrative, family services coordination, or curriculum coaching roles rather than classroom teaching positions.
How can I get hired as a head start teacher in Connecticut with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for a classroom aide or assistant teacher position at a Connecticut community action agency, which typically requires only a high school diploma and willingness to enroll in early childhood coursework. Organizations like Community Renewal Team in Hartford and New Opportunities Inc. in Waterbury regularly hire entry-level assistants and support them in earning Connecticut Charts-A-Course credentials on the job. Completing a Child Development Associate credential while working as an aide signals readiness for a lead teacher role and gives candidates a concrete edge in Connecticut program hiring.
Where can I find and apply to head start teacher jobs in Connecticut?
You can find and apply to head start teacher jobs in Connecticut on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 6 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Connecticut
Find roles in Connecticut that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Start Teacher Jobs