HEADWAY Act

This bill amends the Head Start Act to improve teacher qualifications in Early Head Start programs. It requires each Early Head Start center to have at least one teacher per classroom who holds or is working toward a child development associate credential, with mentorship support during that process. The law eliminates outdated deadlines and updates requirements so teachers providing direct services must be actively pursuing this credential and relevant training. These changes directly affect Early Head Start programs nationwide by setting new standards for staff qualifications and professional development.