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Human Resources

Head Start Staff Qualifications

Head Start programs must ensure all staff, consultants, and contractors have sufficient knowledge, training, experience, and competencies to fulfill the roles and duties of their position. Explore the resources below to understand these requirements.

Educational Requirements for Head Start Staff: A Series of Briefs

To meet Head Start regulations, all programs must ensure they have qualified staff in place. The educational requirements and skills differ for the many roles and positions in Head Start programs. Use these briefs to help determine and justify how your employees meet the requirements.

A group of smiling people posing for a group photo.

Education Requirements for Human Resources Professionals

Programs should consider these qualities, skills, and capacities when hiring a Head Start human resources professional.
Two adults in a discussion.

Education Requirements for Head Start Directors

Use this brief to identify the key qualities, skills, and capacities programs should consider when hiring a Head Start director.
A woman making a presentation in front of a large screen that is displaying a bar graph.

Education Requirements for Fiscal Officers

Programs can use this brief to identify the pertinent qualities, skills, and capacities to consider when hiring Head Start fiscal officers.
Two adults sitting at a round table having a discussion with notes in front of them.

Education Requirements for Family Services Managers and Staff

Explore this brief to better understand the Head Start regulations and education requirements for family services managers and staff.
Two adults going over notes.

Education Requirements for Health Services Managers and Health Professionals

Use this brief to review the Head Start regulations and education requirements for health services managers and professionals (e.g., mental health consultants and staff or consultants who support nutrition services).
A caregiver with three young children with the smallest sitting on her lap.

Education Requirements for Education Managers

Explore this brief to learn how to find and hire the right candidate to fill an education manager position. Learn how to match potential applicants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies.
A caregiver handing a child a brightly colored object.

Education Requirements for Disabilities Managers

Use this brief to discover how to find and hire the right candidate for the disabilities manager position. Explore how to match potential applicants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies.
A caregiver with a young girl on her lap going over how to count.

Education Requirements for Center-Based Infant and Toddler Teachers

Explore this brief to learn how to find and hire the right candidate to fill an infant/toddler teaching position. Learn ways to match potential applicants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies.
An adult and child choosing puzzle pieces.

Education Requirements for Center-Based Preschool Teachers

In this brief, explore ways to find and hire the right candidate to fill preschool teaching positions. Learn how to match potential applicants with the required knowledge, skills, and competencies.
A toddler reaching out to touch an object being held out by an adult.

Education Requirements for Center-Based Preschool Assistant Teachers

Learn how to find and hire the right candidate to fill an assistant teacher position in Head Start programs. Explore how to match applicants with the required knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Adults and children squeezing clay into little balls.

Education Requirements for Family Child Care Providers

Recruiting qualified family child care providers in Head Start programs can be a challenge. Use this brief to find providers who meet the required knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Adults and child playing with toys while seated on the floor.

Education Requirements for Child Development Specialists

Learn ways to find and hire the right candidate to fill a child development specialist position. Explore how to match applicants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Parents watching their two children playing.

Education Requirements for Home Visitors

Discover how to find and hire the right candidate to be a home visitor. Explore ways to match applicants with the required knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Closeup of two woman talking.

Education Requirements for Coaches

Explore ways to find and hire the right candidate to fill an open coach position. Learn how to match potential applicants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies.

Related Regulations

Additional Resources

Read more:

HeadStart.gov

official website of the Administration for Children and Families

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