The difference between the two is not huge. Head Start teachers have greater responsibilities in terms of social work. Head Start teachers also tend to have more education since federal guidelines are far more strict on Head Starts than preschools.
Preschool and Head Start teacher jobs seem nearly identical, but the difference between them matter to potential future teachers. Some have yet to realize that Head Start even exists, where others aspire to work there. There are a number of questions a dedicated teacher needs to answer in order to know where they belong. Which age groups do they want to work with? What type of people do they want to work with? Are they interested in paperwork? Bureaucracy? Flexibility of curriculum within your classroom? Salary? And many more. Use this guide to help you determine which route you want to take.
Qualifications of Head Start Teacher Versus Preschool Teacher
Education
Education requirements are largely the same between preschool and Head Start teachers. Differences occur from program to program, where one school may desired more highly educated teachers, where another program desires someone with more experience.
Having an Early Childhood Education license is the one common requirement across all jobs. Yet the requirements to obtain a permit varies from state to state. Go to PreSchoolTeacher.org to view licensing requirements in your state.
There are differences between these teachers when it comes to job descriptions. Job descriptions often include an associates degree as a minimum requirement since ECE licenses require college units anyway. Since college units are required to get your ECE license, job descriptions typically list an associates degree as a minimum requirement. However, federal law requires Head Start teachers have a minimum of a two year degree. Since preschool teachers are not required to have two year degrees, the quality of education in private preschools will vary from school to school.
Head Start positions are more stringent on job placement, as there are teacher levels that affect your salary. Preschool positions are much more flexible in this regard and generally don’t have teacher levels. In Head Start, you may be a Teacher II, level 4, where you are just a Preschool Teacher within a Preschool. Your education is key to your Head Start position placement.
Job Duties
There are few differences between the job duties of a preschool teacher and a Head Start teacher. Head Start teachers have a much stronger social work aspect to their positions because of the periodic home visits they mus do throughout the school year. Preschool teachers may do an initial home visit at the beginning of the school year to get to know the child and family, but not all preschools do this.
However, a Head Start teacher’s purpose for the home visit is not only to get to know the child and family, but also to assess the child’s capabilities and progress in the home setting.
Experience
The necessary experience is generally the same, but Head Start teachers need to know and have a mindset that prepares their students for school. Preschool teachers having this type of experience is not always necessary, but it will vary from preschool to preschool.
Compensation
Salary
The wage difference between teachers is not large. Preschool teachers earn a slightly higher wage than Head Start teachers. On average preschool teachers make about $3000 more per year despite Head Start teachers having stricter requirements, guidelines, documentation, and travel. The below chart shows a clearer comparison of wages both teachers earn.
| Average National Hourly Wage | Average National Annual Wage | |
| Preschool Teachers | $15.34 | $31,905 |
| Head Start Teachers | $13.97 | $29,057 |
If you’re curious to learn more about salaries in your state, you can view Preschool salaries for your state here, and Head Start salaries per state here.
Travelling
Head Start teachers must do at least two home visits per school year, whereas preschool teachers generally don’t. Head Start teachers may also do home visits if their students are absent for an excessive amount of time to ensure safety; especially if they are unable to get a hold of the student’s parents.
Therefore, Head Start teachers spend more time on the road then preschool teachers due to home visits per each student.
Hours
Head Start teachers typical work six hours per day on campus. However, that does not necessarily happens because they often bring work home to complete. There is never enough time on a given day to complete lesson planning and prepping materials for the class.
There are exceptions where teachers are given extra time to complete work, especially in an emergency situation.In certain circumstances, some teachers have to attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings for their students which can take up a lot of their time, but will be compensated for lost time.
The Children and Families
Children who attend preschools typically come from families who can afford private schooling, as many preschools are privately run and parents must pay tuition. Children who attend Head Start mainly come from low-income families, are adopted, or have special needs. Up to ten percent of students in a Head Start class can come from higher income families, but generally everyone at Head Start is facing a challenge of some sort.
Children in Head Start are generally behind in the “5 Domains of Development” and this makes the job a little more challenging, but also more rewarding once you see the success you build into the child’s future life.
Differences Between Facilities
The overall quality of facilities vary greatly depending on the funding a preschool or Head Start has. Head Start has more consistent levels of funding so you can expect at least a basic level of quality at all of their locations.
Preschools and Head Starts that are associated with a local education department will typically have access to the same large equipment that regular primary school teachers have, such as large laminating machines, commercial copiers/scanners, and accessible computers and email. This will vary greatly in private preschools and you will need to ask about this during your interviewing process.
Crafting Materials in Stock
Since arts and crafts are such a major part of preschool and Head Start, you can expect some craftings to be provided by any preschool or Head Start, but again, schools associated with local education departments will have materials more consistently.
Funding
Funding is generally lower for Head Start as they come from the government sources. Head Start is always looking for funds to keep the facilities running to ensure all students receive the education they are entitled to.
Most preschool programs rely on multiple funding sources. Preschool programs may have to write grants in order to receive the money needed to open up the center.
Union Benefits
The majority of teachers are part of a union. This includes Head Start teachers and preschool teachers who are employed by the government. However, most private preschool teachers are not unionized and do not pay union dues.
Unions have many benefits and are helpful in several situations, such as worker’s compensation, personal accommodations, salary negotiation, and helping you know your rights as an employee. When you are part of a union and attend union meetings, your voices are heard and your opinions count.
General Benefits
More flexibility in preschool teacher as far as holidays, government involvement.
Job Availability
Preschool teacher fills up quicker than Head Start teacher because of the wage differences. Preschool teachers tend to make more than Head Start teachers as noted in the Salary section above.
Teacher to Child Ratio
According to NAEYC, all preschool classrooms consisting of children between the ages of 3 and 4 years must have one adult for every eight students. These rules apply for all preschools and Head Starts. If a site has an even smaller ratio, that is their own decision and perfectly acceptable.
When choosing a preschool or Head Start, a low child/adult ratio is considered a good thing and helps provide a safer environment for children.
Make sure to check the type of program as the adult-to-child ratio vary state by state.
The child-to-adult ratio may vary from state to state and from program to program. To ensure you have the correct information, make sure to check your state’s ratio requirements at childcare.gov.