Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Head Start Early Childhood Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

The Head Start Early Childhood Specialist is a program-focused educator and coach who ensures high-quality, developmentally appropriate services for children prenatal to age five and their families. This role supports classroom teachers, leads curriculum implementation, conducts developmental screenings and assessments, monitors compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, and partners with families and community agencies to promote school readiness, health, and family well-being.

The specialist serves as a subject-matter expert in early childhood development, assessment tools (e.g., Ages & Stages, Teaching Strategies GOLD), CLASS observations, and inclusion practices. They support continuous quality improvement, staff professional development, and data-driven decision making to improve child outcomes and program compliance.

Key SEO phrases: Head Start Early Childhood Specialist, Head Start Program Performance Standards, CLASS observation, developmental screening, family engagement, early intervention, curriculum coaching, inclusion services.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Lead Preschool Teacher or Head Start Teacher
Early Intervention Specialist or Child Development Associate (CDA)
Family Services Coordinator or Home Visitor

Advancement To:

Head Start Program Manager / Program Director
Early Childhood Education Director or Curriculum Coordinator
Director of Early Childhood Services or Regional Head Start Administrator

Lateral Moves:

Family Engagement Specialist
Disabilities/IFSP Coordinator
Quality Improvement or Training Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead implementation of a research-based early childhood curriculum across Head Start classrooms, coaching teachers to use developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), differentiated instruction, and inclusive strategies that support school readiness outcomes for children ages prenatal to five.
Conduct regular CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) observations, provide actionable feedback to classroom staff, develop individualized improvement plans, and track progress against CLASS domain goals to raise instructional quality.
Oversee developmental and health screenings (e.g., Ages & Stages Questionnaire, ASQ-SE, vision/hearing), ensure timely referrals, follow-up, and accurate documentation to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards and state/federal reporting requirements.
Coordinate special education and early intervention services by collaborating with parents, local school districts, therapists, and IEP teams to ensure timely evaluations, individualized family service plans (IFSPs), and IEP implementation in inclusive settings.
Train, mentor, and model classroom practices for teachers and assistant teachers through regular coaching cycles, lesson planning support, reflective supervision, and professional development aligned with program goals and QRIS standards.
Develop, maintain, and analyze classroom- and program-level assessment data (Teaching Strategies GOLD, authentic child assessments) to inform instructional planning, progress monitoring, and program improvement activities.
Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, state licensing, health and safety regulations, and agency policies by conducting site audits, file reviews, classroom monitoring, and corrective action follow-through.
Design and deliver family engagement initiatives that strengthen parent-child interactions, school readiness activities, transition supports (to kindergarten), and family goal planning using strength-based, culturally responsive approaches.
Lead and coordinate home visiting services when applicable, ensuring lesson plans reflect family priorities, child developmental goals, and evidence-based home visiting models.
Facilitate individual and group coaching sessions, in-service trainings, and peer learning communities on topics such as positive behavior supports, trauma-informed practice, social-emotional learning (SEL), and culturally responsive pedagogy.
Collaborate with health, nutrition, and mental health consultants to ensure integrated support for children’s medical, dental, nutritional, and social-emotional needs and to expedite referrals and follow-up.
Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for child records, ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance) updates, attendance monitoring, and transition packets in accordance with program guidelines.
Serve as a liaison to community partners (early intervention programs, local education agencies, public health) to coordinate services, streamline referrals, and strengthen community resource networks for families.
Support recruitment and retention strategies by conducting outreach, participating in community events, and ensuring program materials are accessible and culturally appropriate for target populations.
Facilitate curriculum fidelity by reviewing lesson plans, observing instruction, and providing corrective guidance to align teaching with learning objectives and State Early Learning Standards.
Utilize data to develop targeted improvement plans for classrooms and the program, presenting findings and recommendations to leadership and contributing to grant proposals and program monitoring documentation.
Promote inclusive practices by ensuring accommodations, adaptive materials, and individualized supports are available for children with disabilities and special health needs.
Lead behavior support planning across classrooms using positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS), de-escalation techniques, and individualized behavior intervention plans when necessary.
Participate in staffing decisions by contributing to hiring, orientation, onboarding, and the development of performance evaluations for teaching staff.
Monitor and manage classroom materials, learning environments, and supply inventories to ensure safe, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate settings for children.
Support transitions between home, center, and school settings by coordinating transition meetings, developing kindergarten readiness plans, and engaging receiving schools.
Keep current with early childhood research, Head Start regulations, and best practices; update staff and families through newsletters, trainings, and resource sharing.

Secondary Functions

Assist program leadership with grant reporting, program self-assessments, and corrective action documentation related to program quality and compliance.
Participate in leadership team meetings to align curriculum, family engagement, health, and disability services with strategic priorities and funding requirements.
Support recruitment and onboarding of substitute teachers and volunteers, including orientation to Head Start expectations and child safety procedures.
Contribute to program marketing, outreach materials, and social media content that communicates program impact and promotes enrollment.
Provide backup coverage for classrooms or home visits in emergency staffing situations while maintaining program standards.
Track professional development hours and credentialing status for teaching staff; coordinate access to scholarships, CDA support, or higher education partnerships.
Serve on committees for health and safety, inclusion, or program improvement and represent the specialist perspective during policy updates.
Support crisis response and family stabilization efforts by connecting families to emergency resources, community services, and trauma-informed supports.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and state early childhood licensing regulations.
Proficiency with CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) observation protocols and coaching based on CLASS feedback.
Experience administering and interpreting developmental screenings and assessments (e.g., Ages & Stages, ASQ-SE, Teaching Strategies GOLD).
Familiarity with Individualized Education Programs (IEP), IFSP processes, IDEA regulations, and coordinating services with local education agencies.
Ability to design, implement, and monitor individualized learning plans and differentiated curriculum plans.
Strong data literacy: experience using child outcome data, databases (e.g., ChildPlus or similar), and spreadsheets to produce reports for CQI.
Knowledge of early childhood curricula and alignment to state Early Learning Standards and kindergarten readiness goals.
Competence in conducting classroom observations, creating evidence-based coaching plans, and facilitating professional development.
Experience with family engagement methodologies, home visiting best practices, and strength-based family goal planning.
Familiarity with health and safety protocols, nutrition services, mental health consultation, and mandated reporting requirements.
Ability to use digital tools for documentation, teleconferencing, and virtual coaching (e.g., Zoom, Google Workspace, LMS platforms).
Understanding of QRIS, accreditation processes, and quality improvement systems.

Soft Skills

Strong interpersonal and culturally responsive communication skills for working with diverse families and staff.
Coaching and mentorship skills with the ability to provide constructive feedback and facilitate adult learning.
Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail for compliance, documentation, and multi-site coordination.
Problem-solving orientation with the ability to triage referrals, manage competing priorities, and follow through on action plans.
Empathy and trauma-informed practice when working with children and families experiencing adversity.
Collaborative mindset to build partnerships across health, education, and community agencies.
Adaptability and resilience in dynamic childcare and policy environments.
Professional integrity and confidentiality when handling sensitive family and child information.
Strong written communication for report writing, grant support, and parent-facing materials.
Leadership presence to influence classroom practice, advocate for children, and represent program priorities internally and externally.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Human Services, or related field (or relevant credential such as CDA with equivalent experience).

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Social Work, or a closely related field.
Graduate coursework or certificate in early childhood leadership, coaching, or special education is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Early Childhood Education
Child Development
Special Education
Social Work
Human Services
Public Health or Community Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of experience in early childhood settings, preferably with Head Start or Pre-K programs.

Preferred:

3–7+ years of progressive experience in Head Start, early intervention, special education coordination, or early childhood curriculum coaching.
Demonstrated experience with CLASS observations, developmental screening tools, family engagement, and compliance with federal/state regulations.
Prior experience supervising or coaching teaching staff and participating in program quality improvement initiatives.

If you need this tailored to a specific agency, state, or salary band, I can adjust responsibilities, required certifications, or preferred experience to match local Head Start requirements.