HEADWAY Act

This proposal changes staff rules in Early Head Start classrooms. Instead of requiring every teacher to already have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and special early childhood training, it would require at least one teacher per classroom to have those credentials. Other teachers could teach while they work toward their CDA and training, and the program must give them a mentor to guide their progress .

Key points

• Who is affected: Early Head Start centers, their teachers, and the infants and toddlers they serve.
• What changes: At least one fully credentialed teacher per classroom is required; other teachers can work while earning their CDA and completing training, with a mentor provided by the program .
• Why it matters: Aims to keep classrooms staffed while helping new teachers gain the right skills and credentials, without leaving classrooms without qualified leadership.