Head Start Education Services Manager

The Head Start Education Services Manager is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of high-quality educational services across the Head Start and Early Head Start program options. This position provides direct supervision, leadership, and support to Education Coaches and Flex Teachers while also maintaining an assigned caseload and providing direct educational services and support.

The Head Start Education Services Manager serves as a program-level expert in early childhood curriculum, instructional practices, child assessment, and school readiness. This position provides leadership in the implementation and fidelity of the Creative Curriculum, oversees child assessment practices, utilizes Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG) data to monitor child outcomes and inform instructional decisions, and supports continuous quality improvement across the education component.

In addition to supervisory and programmatic responsibilities, the Head Start Education Services Manager maintains an assigned caseload and provides direct educational support, coaching, consultation, and/or other services as appropriate to assigned classrooms, teachers, children, and families. This position ensures educational practices, documentation, and data procedures remain in continuous compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

I. Education Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise, mentor, support, and evaluate Education Coaches and Flex Teachers, ensuring effective performance, professional growth, and adherence to program policies and Head Start standards.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the implementation and fidelity of the Creative Curriculum across center-based and home-based program options.
• Provide targeted coaching, technical assistance, and professional development to Education Coaches and teaching staff to strengthen instructional practices and promote positive child outcomes.
• Regularly visit and observe classrooms and home-based activities using program-identified observation tools, including CLASS, to assess the quality of instructional practices and provide feedback and technical assistance.
• Identify professional development needs and collaborate with leadership to develop strategies that strengthen education staff competencies and instructional quality.
• Support Education Coaches in using child assessment and classroom observation data to individualize coaching and instructional support.
• Maintain an assigned caseload and provide direct educational support and services consistent with program needs, professional qualifications, and Head Start requirements.
• Balance direct service responsibilities with supervisory and program-level responsibilities to ensure timely and effective support for assigned staff and caseload participants.

II. Program Strategy, Curriculum & Child Assessment

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the comprehensive education component of the Head Start and Early Head Start program.
• In collaboration with the Head Start Director, develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate annual program goals, objectives, and component plans related to education and school readiness.
• Provide oversight of the implementation, fidelity, and ongoing evaluation of the Creative Curriculum.
• Direct the implementation and completion of all Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG) assessment periods, ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable data entry and checkpoint ratings.
• Conduct ongoing analysis of TSG child outcome data and classroom quality data to identify educational strengths and gaps, monitor child progress, and guide continuous quality improvement.
• Ensure education staff are supported in using assessment data to individualize instruction and respond to children’s developmental and learning needs.
• Monitor trends in child outcomes and instructional quality and recommend strategies to improve school readiness outcomes.
• Support the integration of curriculum, assessment, observation, and instructional data into program planning and decision-making.

III. Compliance, Inclusion & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Monitor and support continuous compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) related to education, curriculum, child assessment, school readiness, and related documentation.
• Ensure education staff understand and consistently implement required educational policies, procedures, curriculum practices, assessment processes, and documentation requirements.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary Head Start team, including Disabilities and Mental Health staff, to support the developmental and educational needs of individual children.
• Review relevant child incident reports and assessment information and collaborate with appropriate team members to identify trends, concerns, and opportunities for intervention and support.
• Support education staff in creating inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of all children, including dual language learners and children with disabilities.
• Collaborate with the Disabilities/Mental Health team to support appropriate accommodations, modifications, referrals, and individualized educational strategies.
• Coordinate and support Kindergarten transition activities and the exchange of information for Head Start children and families in accordance with program requirements.

IV. Partnerships, Professional Development & Administration

• Serve as a primary liaison with Head Start partners and community educational partners to align professional development opportunities, secure educational resources, and promote consistency in educational standards and practices.
• Develop and facilitate professional development, training, and technical assistance for education staff based on identified program and staff needs.
• Prepare and present programmatic reports, data updates, including TSG outcomes, and educational trends to the Policy Council, Governing Body, and Head Start Director.
• Monitor and maintain accurate and timely programmatic documentation and reports related to the education component.
• Submit required reports, data, and other programmatic information to the Head Start Director in a timely and accurate manner.
• Participate in program planning, self-assessment, monitoring, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Maintain current knowledge of evidence-based early childhood practices, Head Start requirements, curriculum, assessment, and instructional trends.
• Perform other duties as assigned and delegated by the supervisor or designee.

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, or a closely related field required.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in early childhood education, with demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices and instructional strategies.
• Previous supervisory, coaching, or leadership experience in an early childhood education setting strongly preferred.
• Experience implementing and/or providing coaching related to evidence-based early childhood curricula and instructional practices preferred.
• Experience with Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD (TSG) strongly preferred.
• Experience using child assessment and program data to monitor child outcomes, inform instruction, and support continuous quality improvement.
• Experience developing, implementing, or monitoring individualized educational strategies or support plans for young children preferred.
• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and Head Start educational requirements preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable strategies.
• Strong communication, organization, interpersonal, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively manage competing responsibilities, including staff supervision, program-level responsibilities, and an assigned caseload.
• Must maintain current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Must successfully complete all required background checks and screenings and meet all applicable Head Start and organizational requirements.