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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Position: Head Start Teacher
Supervisor: Manager on Point
Classification: Level III- Non-Exempt
+ Overview
The teacher is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of all classroom staff and development and implementation of classroom curriculum, instruction, screenings, and assessments. These components ensure compliance with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Head Start Program Performance and DCFS Licensing Standards.
+ Essential Job Functions
- Plan developmentally appropriate education experiences in accordance with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Illinois Early Learning Standards, and DCFS licensing Standards.
- Interact with children in a developmentally appropriate manner using Conscious Discipline techniques.
- Implement Creative Curriculum with fidelity, which includes instruction, assessment, and screenings
- Provide supervision of assigned education and bus staff which includes performance reviews and other human resources related tasks
- Complete two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences with each enrolled family.
- Maintain inventory of classroom supplies and equipment to request supplies
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date children’s files.
- Guide teacher assistant, bus driver, and/or classroom assistant(s) in creating lesson plans
- Maintain confidentiality of all information regarding children, families, and staff.
- Verify preparation of meals and snacks and implement family style meal service and holding staff accountable based on CACFP audit
- Modifications and accommodations must be implemented from documents related to instruction, physical, and/or health related plans, not limited to IEPS and IFSPs
- Attend all staff meetings, trainings, workshops, and conferences according to Head Start Performance Standards and DCFS Licensing standards with at least 20 hours in-service training annually.
- Assist in recruitment of children as specified in the Recruitment Process
- Support families in the School Readiness and the Parent, Family and Community Engagement processes.
- Perform job duties as per timeline.
- Perform any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization’s values.
+ Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Preferred. Must have at minimum an Associate’s degree in early childhood education or a related field in accordance with Section 645A(h)(1) of the Head Start Act. DCFS qualifications for Child Care Director is required.
- Successfully complete fingerprint and background check as required by 89 ILL. Adm. Code 385 Background Checks (Section 407.110)
- Must be at least 21 years of age and physically lift 50 pounds.
- Must complete CPR, First Aid, Food Protection Manager Certification, Mandated Reporter, and any other certification deemed necessary for site operations.
- Experience with Microsoft Application including SharePoint or similar collaboration software application.
- Illinois State ID and reliable transportation required with current insurance.
- This position requires you to drive an agency vehicle, therefore you will be subject to CAPCIL insurance reviews. If for some reason, you are unable to be insured by the agency's insurance, you will be unable to drive CAPCIL vehicles, which could result in termination.
+ Benefits
- Major Medical Plan. Community Action will pay a percentage of a monthly medical premium.
- Employee Term Life Insurance up to $30,000 depending on age, spousal coverage (up to age 70) for $10,000 and/or child coverage (up to age 26) for $10,000 per child.
- Dental and Vision Insurance Plan (Employer paid for the employee, employees can choose to add on dependents at their own expense.)
- 403-B Retirement plan (CAPCIL will match up to 3%)
- Paid Time Off/PTO (6.5 days at time of hire, an additional 6.5 days after the 90-day probationary period, prorated based on hire date and increases with continued employment)
- Sick Leave (accrues at the rate of 4 hours per pay period for Full-Time and 2 hours per pay period for Part Time)
- 18 Paid Holidays (Including your birthday)
+ Key Performance Indicators
Outcome
Performance Indicator
Measure and Tool
What does Good Look Like?
Raise attendance to at least 80% for children
Initiate Attendance Improvement Action Plan
Excel tracking sheet – AAP KPI List
90% of needed AAP’s initiated within 5 business days.
Maintain enrollment pool according to the yearly assigned application and waitlist goal
Complete applications to ensure goal is met as needed throughout the year
Application Summary Report in client database
45% Accepted at First Selection (April 1st)
75% Accepted at Second Selection (May 1st)
95% Accepted at Third Selection (June 15) or fully enrolled by August 1st
Collect adequate observation notes on each child for accurate assessment.
Weekly observation notes are collected on each child.
Documentation report in Teaching Strategies reviewed quarterly (Nov, Feb, May).
2 observation notes per child per week recorded in Teaching Strategies
__________________________________________________________ ________________________
See All 46 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Start Teacher JobsHead Start Teacher Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
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 House3N
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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