Head Start Teacher Jobs in Illinois

Head Start Teacher jobs in Illinois are concentrated in federally funded early childhood programs, community action agencies, and school-district-run preschool initiatives, with openings at every level from classroom assistant to lead teacher and site coordinator. Chicago, Rockford, and Springfield anchor the bulk of hiring, where organizations like Chicago Commons, SGA Youth and Family Services, and the Community Action Network of Illinois sustain ongoing openings year-round. The most in-demand specialties are early childhood special education, bilingual instruction for Spanish-speaking families, and infant-toddler programming. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles46
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring18
Work type100% On-site
Top industryGovernment
Companies hiring20

Showing 5 of 46+ Head Start Teacher jobs

Head Start Teacher
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Added 4d ago
Head Start Teacher
Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois
Clinton, Illinois
Curriculum Design
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$22.39 - $23.4/hr
CPR Certification
51-200

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Head Start Teacher - West Champaign
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Head Start Teacher - West Champaign
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission
Champaign, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$20.04 - $29.63/hr
Bachelor of Science
201-500

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Lead Head Start Teacher 3-5
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Added 6d ago
Lead Head Start Teacher 3-5
Mary Crane Center
Chicago, Illinois
Educational Administration
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$62k - $67k/yr
Bachelor's degree in early childhood education
51-200

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Head Start Lead Teacher ( 3-5Yrs )
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Added 1w ago
Head Start Lead Teacher ( 3-5Yrs )
Shining Star Youth & Community Services
Chicago, Illinois
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$42k - $53k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in early childhood education
51-200

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Early Head Start Teacher (Infants/Toddlers)
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Added 1w ago
Early Head Start Teacher (Infants/Toddlers)
Shining Star Youth & Community Services
Chicago, Illinois
Curriculum Design
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$35k - $51k/yr
On-Site
Associate's degree in early childhood education
51-200

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See All 46 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Illinois

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

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Head Start Teacher Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chicago
17 jobs
Clinton
4 jobs
Waukegan
3 jobs
Beach Park
3 jobs
Canton
2 jobs
Lincoln
2 jobs
Petersburg
2 jobs
Bloomington
2 jobs
Rock Island
2 jobs

Head Start Teacher Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois10
  • Start Early7
  • Northwestern University4
  • SAL Community Services3
  • Northwestern Settlement House3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Government & Public Sector

What Illinois Employers Look For

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

  • Associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a closely related field
  • Illinois Gateways to Opportunity credential or documented progress toward it
  • Valid Illinois State Board of Education early childhood teaching license preferred for lead roles
  • Pediatric CPR and first aid certification current at time of hire
  • Experience working directly with children ages birth to five in a structured setting
  • Ability to meet Illinois Department of Children and Family Services background clearance requirements

Head Start Teacher Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a head start teacher in Illinois?

To become a head start teacher in Illinois, you need at minimum an associate degree in early childhood education, though many Illinois programs now require a bachelor's degree for lead positions. Illinois uses the Gateways to Opportunity credentialing system, administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, as its recognized professional framework. Earning a Gateways ECE Credential or an Illinois State Board of Education early childhood teaching license strengthens your application considerably and is required for lead teacher roles in many district-run programs.

Which companies hire head start teachers in Illinois?

Illinois head start teacher roles are posted by Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois, Start Early, and Northwestern University and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's network of community action agencies and nonprofit early childhood providers means hiring is spread across both major metros and smaller cities throughout the state.

Which Illinois cities have the most head start teacher jobs?

Chicago, Clinton, and Waukegan have the most head start teacher openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the largest share of postings because of the concentration of large nonprofit social service organizations, Chicago Public Schools early childhood programs, and federally funded community action agencies headquartered there, while Rockford and Springfield generate consistent demand through their own community action networks and district-run Head Start partnerships.

Are there remote head start teacher jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're rare. Head start teaching is fundamentally hands-on and classroom-based, so fully remote positions make up a small share of the market. About 0% of head start teacher openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those roles tend to be in program coordination, family services, or coaching rather than direct classroom instruction.

How can I get hired as a head start teacher in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for a teacher assistant or classroom aide role, which Illinois Head Start programs routinely fill without requiring prior lead teaching experience. Chicago Commons, SGA Youth and Family Services, and many Illinois community action agencies run structured on-the-job learning tracks that move assistants into lead roles once they complete Gateways credentialing coursework. Completing even the first level of the Illinois Gateways ECE Credential while working an aide position signals commitment and accelerates the path to a lead teacher hire.

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

You can find and apply to head start teacher jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings in one place. Search the listings for roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 46 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Illinois

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

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