Head Start Teacher Jobs in Kentucky
Head Start Teacher jobs in Kentucky are in steady demand, with openings concentrated in community action agencies, public school districts, and nonprofit early childhood organizations serving low-income families. The largest hiring markets are Louisville, Lexington, and the Bowling Green area, where established employers such as Community Action Kentucky, Jefferson County Public Schools, and Berea College Early Learning Center maintain consistent recruiting pipelines. The most in-demand specialties include infant and toddler development, family engagement coordination, and special needs inclusion support. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Head Start Teacher jobs
Summary/Objective
Plans, organizes, and implements educational services for children in the Early Head Start classroom that
will prepare children for later school success.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
- Implements curricula in the classroom
- Applies knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices
- Guides and facilitates daily activities, including but not limited to; regular instruction,
- Maintains a comprehensive system for assessing and tracking child progress; gathers and
evaluation, and record keeping for successful individual and program planning
- Cooperates with parents to build and support home school connections by providing parents with
- Establish and maintain relationships with community partners by being proactive and supportive
- Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment through continued awareness and maintaining
- Assist in implementing Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP’s)
- Complies with the Early Head Start Performance Standards and all applicable local, state, and
- Supervises all classroom assistants and volunteers
- Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of classroom assistants
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and
- Responsible for training employees
- Plans, assigns, and directs work
- Addresses classroom concerns and resolves problems
- Follows the program curriculum providing ample opportunities for natural play and hands-on
- Maintains regular contact with parents and completes appropriate documentation (ie; daily
- Participates in assigned meetings, events, and training as required
- Ensure that a minimum of 15 clock hours of allowable professional development is completed
Competencies
1. Analytical Thinking
2. Collaboration
3. Coaching
4. Tact
5. Ethics/Integrity
6. Attention to detail
7. Organizational Understanding
8. Professionalism
9. Planning/Time management
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises and provides direction to Early Head Start classroom volunteers.
Work Environment
This position operates in a classroom environment.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance;
stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or
move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision,
color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a regular part time position. Days and hours of work are planned in advance and schedule is
provided at the beginning of each program year. In order to meet the needs of the agency, permanent or
temporary changes and/or modifications to the schedule may occur as dictated by management.
Travel
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although out-of-area travel may be expected upon
notice.
Required Education and Experience
Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or comparable credential or have
equivalent course work in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
Preferred Education and Experience
Associate Degree (A.A.) or higher in early childhood education; or related field.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
TSG Certification
Additional Requirements
Valid Kentucky driver’s license, reliable transportation, and satisfactory background checks. Pass a
pre-employment drug test and random drug testing as required. State required minimum vehicle liability
insurance and uninsured motorist insurance. Any/all other testing or applicable checks required by local,
state, or federal law.
AP/EEO Statement
Gateway Community Action provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants
for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color,
religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement,
promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and
activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Competitive Benefits – paid leave, health, dental, vision, life & CERS Retirement.
Summary/Objective
Plans, organizes, and implements educational services for children in the Early Head Start classroom that
will prepare children for later school success.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
- Implements curricula in the classroom
- Applies knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices
- Guides and facilitates daily activities, including but not limited to; regular instruction,
- Maintains a comprehensive system for assessing and tracking child progress; gathers and
evaluation, and record keeping for successful individual and program planning
- Cooperates with parents to build and support home school connections by providing parents with
- Establish and maintain relationships with community partners by being proactive and supportive
- Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment through continued awareness and maintaining
- Assist in implementing Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP’s)
- Complies with the Early Head Start Performance Standards and all applicable local, state, and
- Supervises all classroom assistants and volunteers
- Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of classroom assistants
- Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and
- Responsible for training employees
- Plans, assigns, and directs work
- Addresses classroom concerns and resolves problems
- Follows the program curriculum providing ample opportunities for natural play and hands-on
- Maintains regular contact with parents and completes appropriate documentation (ie; daily
- Participates in assigned meetings, events, and training as required
- Ensure that a minimum of 15 clock hours of allowable professional development is completed
Competencies
1. Analytical Thinking
2. Collaboration
3. Coaching
4. Tact
5. Ethics/Integrity
6. Attention to detail
7. Organizational Understanding
8. Professionalism
9. Planning/Time management
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises and provides direction to Early Head Start classroom volunteers.
Work Environment
This position operates in a classroom environment.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance;
stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or
move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision,
color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a regular part time position. Days and hours of work are planned in advance and schedule is
provided at the beginning of each program year. In order to meet the needs of the agency, permanent or
temporary changes and/or modifications to the schedule may occur as dictated by management.
Travel
Travel is primarily local during the business day, although out-of-area travel may be expected upon
notice.
Required Education and Experience
Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or comparable credential or have
equivalent course work in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
Preferred Education and Experience
Associate Degree (A.A.) or higher in early childhood education; or related field.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
TSG Certification
Additional Requirements
Valid Kentucky driver’s license, reliable transportation, and satisfactory background checks. Pass a
pre-employment drug test and random drug testing as required. State required minimum vehicle liability
insurance and uninsured motorist insurance. Any/all other testing or applicable checks required by local,
state, or federal law.
AP/EEO Statement
Gateway Community Action provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants
for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color,
religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement,
promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and
activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Competitive Benefits – paid leave, health, dental, vision, life & CERS Retirement.
See All 6 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Kentucky
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Find Head Start Teacher JobsHead Start Teacher Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Start Teacher Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head start teacher jobs across Kentucky.
- Associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a closely related field
- Valid Kentucky teaching certificate or Child Development Associate credential preferred
- Demonstrated knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and federal guidelines
- Experience working directly with children ages three to five in a structured classroom
- Ability to complete required Kentucky background checks and health screenings before hire
- Strong family engagement and home-visit communication skills expected by most employers
Head Start Teacher Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head start teacher in Kentucky?
To become a head start teacher in Kentucky, you need at minimum an Associate degree in early childhood education, though most employers prefer a Bachelor's degree. The Kentucky Department of Education issues teaching certificates for early childhood that strengthen your candidacy, and many programs require or strongly favor a Child Development Associate credential issued through the Council for Professional Recognition. Completing required background checks through the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services is mandatory before starting work.
Which companies hire head start teachers in Kentucky?
Companies currently hiring head start teachers in Kentucky include Gateway Community Services, Family & Children's Place, and Community Action of Southern Kentucky, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Kentucky's network of community action agencies across rural and urban counties makes them among the most active and consistent sources of head start teacher openings statewide.
Which Kentucky cities have the most head start teacher jobs?
Newport, Bardstown, and Vanceburg have the most head start teacher openings in Kentucky. Louisville and Lexington drive volume through their large public school systems and well-funded community action agencies, while smaller cities like Bowling Green benefit from anchor nonprofits and regional community colleges that operate early childhood programs serving surrounding counties.
Are there remote head start teacher jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. Head start teaching is a hands-on, classroom-based role requiring direct daily work with young children and families, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of head start teacher openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those that do exist tend to be administrative, curriculum development, or family services coordinator roles rather than traditional classroom teaching positions.
How can I get hired as a head start teacher in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying as a teacher's aide or classroom assistant at a Kentucky community action agency, where on-the-job experience counts toward meeting federal staffing requirements over time. Organizations such as Community Action Kentucky and local Head Start grantees regularly hire associate-level candidates into assistant roles with the expectation of promotion. Earning your Child Development Associate credential through the Council for Professional Recognition while working gives you a concrete competitive edge and satisfies the federal requirement for lead teacher status.
Where can I find and apply to head start teacher jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to head start teacher jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your credentials and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit your situation.
See All 6 Head Start Teacher Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Head Start Teacher Jobs