H.R. 336 — HEADWAY Act

This section revises teacher qualification requirements in center-based Early Head Start programs (i.e., services for low-income families with children birth to age 3 to enhance child development and promote parental self-sufficiency). Specifically, it (1) replaces the requirement that all teachers have a minimum child development associate (CDA) credential (or equivalent training) by September 30, 2010, with a requirement that at least one teacher per classroom has such a credential; (2) requires each additional teacher providing direct services to work toward earning at least a CDA credential and completing related training or coursework, with mentoring provided by the Early Head Start agency; and (3) replaces the requirement that all teachers have an associate's degree in early childhood education or a related field (or equivalent) by September 30, 2012, with a requirement that at least one teacher per classroom has such a degree or equivalent and each additional teacher works toward it.