Can you teach in an Early Head Start with an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education?

Question

I live in North Carolina. I am thinking the requirements vary

by state. But not sure what kind of degree is required in N.C.

Answer 1

I am in massachusetts we have the highest requirments in the country for childcare and education.  here all you need to teach in head start is three earlychildhood courses and office for childcare services teacher accreditation.  so I do believe that you can teach there with an Associate of Science.  The best way to find out is to apply for a teaching job there and see what they tell you.

Answer 2

Hi there,

I currently work as an Education Coordinator for a Head Start agency.  The previous responses are correct in that state child care regulations require different levels of education for providers.  

According to your state's regulations,

"Qualifications for Staff. -

All staff counted toward meeting the required staff-child ratio shall be at least 16 years of age, provided that persons younger than 18 years of age work under the direct supervision of a credentialed staff person who is at least 21 years of age. All lead teachers in a child care center shall have at least a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent as determined by the Department. Lead teachers shall be enrolled in the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework or its equivalent as determined by the Department within six months after becoming employed as a lead teacher or within six months after this act becomes law, whichever is later, and shall complete the credential or its equivalent within 18 months after enrollment."  From http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/NC/nc_law.ht...

In other words, your state requires you to complete the North Carolina Credential to teach in a child care setting (including a setting with EHS/HS programs).

Head Start is a federally-funded program (not state-funded).  In terms of what the National Head Start Association requires for Early Head Start classroom teachers, the "Program Performance Standards for the Operation of Head Start Programs" (the rules governing Head Start programs) state:

"Infant and toddler staff qualifications. Early Head Start and Head Start staff working as teachers with infants and toddlers must obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential for Infant and Toddler Caregivers or an equivalent credential that addresses comparable competencies within one year of the effective date of the final rule or, thereafter, within one year of hire as a teacher of infants and toddlers. In addition, infants and toddler teachers must have the training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with very young children. The training must develop knowledge of infant and toddler development, safety issues in infant and toddler care (e.g., reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and methods for communicating effectively with infants and toddlers, their parents, and other staff members."

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Profes...

In other words, as long as your Associate degree covered the required trainings (as specified above) then you should have what you need (according to the Performance Standards and your state's child care licensing requirements).  Keep in mind, with the newly signed Head Start reauthorization, some of these requirements may change.

Answer 3

You are right, the requirements do vary by state.  I am pretty sure in Ohio you need a bachelor's degree because Head Start is a state funded program.  With NCLB I would not be suprised if you did need a bachelor's degree in every state.