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Head Start Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Opportunities for Otsego

Head Start Director

Oneonta, NY · On-site

$1.5K - $1.7K/wk

Head Start Director Oneonta, New York About Us: Opportunities for Otsego is one of 1,000+ Community Action Agencies across the nation that are actively fighting the "War on Poverty" based on ...

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How much do head start jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for head start in the United States is $96,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $125,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What job in childcare makes the most money?

In childcare, the highest-paying roles are often center directors or childcare administrators, who oversee operations and staff. These positions typically require advanced education, experience, and management skills, and can earn higher salaries compared to direct caregiving roles like preschool teachers or assistants.

What is a Head Start teacher?

A Head Start teacher is an early childhood educator who works in the federally funded Head Start program, which serves preschool-aged children from low-income families. Their primary responsibilities include planning and implementing educational activities, promoting social and emotional development, and ensuring a safe and nurturing classroom environment. Head Start teachers also work closely with families to support children's learning and connect them with community resources. They play a vital role in preparing children for kindergarten and future academic success.

What do you need to work at a Head Start?

To work at a Head Start program, applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and some positions require early childhood education credentials or experience. Background checks, child abuse clearances, and CPR certification are also usually required, along with strong communication and organizational skills.

What are some common challenges faced by Head Start teachers, and how can they effectively address them?

Head Start teachers often work with children from diverse backgrounds who may face economic or developmental challenges. Common challenges include managing varying levels of readiness among students, engaging families who may have limited resources, and meeting program requirements for documentation and assessments. To address these, teachers can utilize differentiated instruction, collaborate closely with family service workers, and participate in ongoing professional development. Building strong relationships with both students and families is key to creating a supportive learning environment and ensuring children's success.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

For a Head Start professional or similar roles, earning $10,000 a month without a degree is uncommon; most positions in early childhood education require relevant certifications or experience. However, high-paying jobs in sales, real estate, or skilled trades like plumbing or electrical work can reach that income level through commissions or self-employment. These roles often demand specialized skills, licensing, or extensive experience rather than formal degrees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Head Start teacher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head Start teacher, you need a background in early childhood education, child development knowledge, and often an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field. Familiarity with curriculum planning tools, assessment systems, and compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards is typically required. Strong communication, patience, and cultural sensitivity are vital soft skills for engaging young children and their families. These skills are crucial for fostering positive learning environments and supporting the holistic development of children in under-resourced communities.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can pay around $2,000 a day typically include specialized roles such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, corporate lawyers, or senior executives, often requiring advanced degrees, extensive experience, and professional certifications. Freelance consultants, project managers in large industries, or certain high-level sales positions may also reach this level with commissions or bonuses. These roles usually involve demanding schedules and significant responsibility.

What is the difference between Head Start vs Preschool Teacher?

AspectHead StartPreschool Teacher
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or higher in early childhood education or related fieldHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions require early childhood certification
Work EnvironmentHead Start programs in community centers, schools, or dedicated facilities, serving low-income childrenPreschools, daycare centers, or private early childhood education settings
Employer & Industry UsageFederal-funded program focusing on comprehensive early childhood developmentPrivate and public preschools, daycare centers, and early childhood education providers

Head Start and Preschool Teachers both work with young children in early education settings. Head Start programs are federally funded, emphasizing comprehensive services for low-income families, often requiring specific credentials. Preschool Teachers may work in various settings, with credentials varying by employer. While both roles focus on early childhood development, Head Start offers a broader scope of services and funding sources compared to typical preschool teaching positions.

More about Head Start jobs
What cities are hiring for Head Start jobs? Cities with the most Head Start job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Start jobs? The most popular types of Start jobs are:
What states have the most Head Start jobs? States with the most job openings for Head Start jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Head Start jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Head Start jobs are:
Head Start jobs near you

Head Start Teacher

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency

Salem, MO • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: HS Teacher SALARY RANGE: 8
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: WORK STATION: Classroom Education Manager
Professional Development Manager
Site Supervisor
SUPERVISES: Classroom staff
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Teacher is responsible for planning, organizing and monitoring the fiscal, physical and operational aspects of a Head Start Center. This responsibility includes setting up classrooms and developing and implementing educational programs. The Head Start Teacher will work together with the Head Start Bus Driver to provide safe transportation for the children in accordance with all state and local laws and Head Start transportation guidelines.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
  1. Responsible for direction of classroom activities, health, safety and well-being of the children during time in the Head Start program.
  2. Assist in developing the overall curriculum.
  3. Develop weekly lesson plans outlining daily classroom activities and individual plans to meet children's needs within the curriculum.
  4. Help administer required health related screening to children, document results.
  5. Administer developmental screening to each child, document results.
  6. Assess each child's on-going development and individualize for each child based on their strengths and weaknesses, document.
  7. Observe each child on a regular schedule and document observations and document.
  8. Refer any children with suspected problems.
  9. Responsible for the facilities, equipment and consumable supplies used in the center.
  10. Maintaining a clean, sanitary and comfortable classroom environment.
  11. Perform teaching tasks as directed by supervisor and as outlined in curriculum.
  12. Responsible for home visits for each family and child to assist with understanding the goals of the Head Start program and the parent role in the development of their child.
  13. Stimulate parent involvement in classroom activities, utilize parents as volunteers in the center and assist Parent Committees in organizing and conducting programs.
  14. Prepare and submit necessary agency and Head Start reports as assigned.
  15. Maintain the confidentiality requirements of the program.
  16. Relate the Head Start purpose and goals to parents, staff and the general community and undertake other public information activities as assigned.
  17. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Head Start staff and other human services staff in the community.
  18. Advise Supervisor concerning the needs of Head Start children and parents, and programming necessary to meet those needs.
  19. Participate in Head Start training and career development activities appropriate to maintain a high degree of professionalism in work with children and parents.
  20. Be current with professional resources to increase knowledge of early childhood education.
  21. Attend pre-service and in-service training.
  22. Participate in college credit courses leading to completion of BS degree in child development, early childhood education or a related field.
  23. Understand responsibility of being a mandated reporter for Child Abuse and Neglect. Read and understand Child Abuse and Neglect Policy. Failure to follow reporting procedures, including incidents involving other staff members, may result in termination.
  24. Work cooperatively with the administrative staff and other agency personnel.
  25. Never leave a child unattended at any time.
  26. Assist children and their parents on and off the bus. Make sure a responsible person is home to receive the child. Take a child into a child care center, if needed, and assure child is with responsible staff person.
  27. Responsible for controlling all passengers on the vehicle and for ensuring that safety restraints are used for everyone. There should be a positive atmosphere on the vehicle that will provide for learning in a safe and healthy environment.
  28. Report all accidents to supervisor immediately.
  29. Maintain required documentation concerning mileage, etc.
  30. Provide communication between staff and parents concerning children. Relay messages between parents and Center Staff. Be positive with parents and children as the program's first and last contact of the day.
  31. Be available to ride bus for field trips, dental and medical trips (if necessary), and other trips.
  32. Use agency vehicles for official Head Start and agency business only. The vehicle is not to be used for breaks, personal errands, etc.
  33. Participate in appropriate Head Start training. Attend parent committee meetings, center staff meetings, in-service training, and other training as required or requested by management staff and/or supervisor.
  34. Emergency supplies are maintained and properly stored in accordance with agency policy and procedures. Communication system is tested regularly and kept in working order. System is utilized for Head Start business only.
  35. Work cooperatively with all Head Start staff.
  36. Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  1. Possess an AA degree in the area of child development, early childhood education or a related field.
  2. Must have 8 credit hours in early childhood education if degree is not in related field or obtain a Preschool CDA credential
  3. Obtain additional required education, as mandated by performance standards.
  4. Knowledge and experience in early childhood development, teaching methods and practices, as required by performance standards.
  5. Ability to relate to children and parents in a positive, constructive manner.
  6. Ability to supervise classroom staff.
  7. Ability to develop and implement effective structural classroom experiences based upon the Head Start curriculum and individual children's needs.
  8. Knowledge of all social and health resources in the community and ability to make effective referrals to such resources.
  9. Ability to work effectively with other Head Start staff and local community agencies and individuals.
  10. Knowledge of the purpose, goals and objectives of the Head Start program.
  11. Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
  12. Ability to conduct oneself in a manner projecting a positive image to the children, parents, staff, program, agency and community.
  13. Ability to operate a vehicle and possess a current license.
  14. Obtain initial medical exam and TB assessment within 30 days of employment. Complete a medical exam and TB assessment every five years following initial employment.
  15. Pass background screen, child abuse/neglect screen, drug screen, and be subject to random drug testing.

Additional requirements:
Possess personal qualifications: emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the standards of the program, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health which does not interfere with responsibilities. Must have good verbal communication skills and visual ability to observe children. Ability to fulfill responsibilities under pressure, including during emergencies.
Working Conditions:
Risk of exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. Risk involved with travel on main highways, side streets and rural roads during the transportation of children. Risk of exposure to communicable diseases. Must be able to lift 55 pounds, many times a day, climb into the school bus, bend, kneel and squat frequently. Job requires standing for long periods of time, as well as stooping, squatting, running; and sitting in child sized chairs and/or on the floor.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position, including changes in location, classroom, caseload, and hours. The Executive Director may, at any time, for disciplinary purposes, the utilization of personnel, or for the general good of the program, reassign an employee from one position to another position.
I accept the duties and responsibilities as outlined in this position description. This position is not exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Signature of Employee Date
Signature of Supervisor/Mentor Date of Orientation
Rev 5-23

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