Head Start Reviews

Pros

Progressive, research based practices, Federal program which means large support network and similar programs to rely on for issues, oldest standing war on poverty program in the country, successful in its mission for children and families, important in the community.

Cons

Limited funding - which means no salary increases, minimal funds for staff education or training, very heavy on paperwork and policies, strict guidelines from Federal government so little room for experimentation.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep the inspiration alive - everyone is at Head Start for one reason: because they believe in it. Staff need to be reminded why they are making the concessions they are to stay with the program and be committed to doing their job well. Obviously pay increases also, but that is not necessarily driven by management alone.

Pros

Wonderful people to work with.
Very ethical environment.

Cons

No room for growth and not very good pay

Advice to Senior Management

Excellent leadership style, good communication.

Pros

You are making a difference in the life of a child.

Cons

Low salary makes it difficult to work at HS. Time off compensates for salary.

Advice to Senior Management

better salaries

Pros

I loved working with the children and that is why I stayed as long as I did!

Cons

The pay was so low it was crippling. When I started 5 years ago, my starting wage was $10.67 per hour. I had a vehicle that was so bad that it needed constant upkeep but, I couldn't afford the upkeep nor did I make enough to be able to buy a different car. My car was not running at one point and my boss told me, "You need to have a reliable vehicle!" I told her, "I am trying but, I only make $10.67 per hour!" After working at Head Start for 5 years I was finally making a wage that would allow me to go to a movie once in awhile - I was making $13.45 per hour. I was, however, still below the poverty line and qualified for energy assistance and food shelf. Then management called a meeting together of the assistant teachers and told us that "eight assistant teachers are going to be permanently laid-off on June 3rd, 2011." They are changing from a teacher-assistant teacher model at one of the centers to a teacher-teacher model. So, they did not need as many assistant teachers. At least 5 of the assistant teachers were working there for nearly 10 years. So, there goes all of the time we built up to make a better wage!

Advice to Senior Management

I'm just DONE!

Pros

The Pre-school children, if you Love children and love to Teach little ones, 3 and 4 year olds, you would love to work here! I enjoy coming into my classroom and Teaching my children. They come into the classroom not knowing how to cut, write their name, their colors, shapes, numbers etc. I have a daily routine that incorporates a teaching time, play time and grouptime. The best part of my job is the children.

Cons

We have unrealistic time lines to get childrens assessments completed. No open door policy, very beaucratic organization, must follow the chain of command. I feel my input is never needed or even considered.

Advice to Senior Management

Allow the Teachers to speak to upper level management through an open door policy, this will allow the top level managers know whats going on at each of the 42 pre-school sites.

Pros

Friendly environment and pay is great

Cons

You have to be patient

Advice to Senior Management

Higher education recommended

Pros

The pay and benefits I believe are the best in the Portland Metro area. Taking time off is pretty accessible and other teachers are able to donate sick time when a teacher is in need.

Cons

I believe the teachers need more training and motivation, there is a major lack of this. There is training which is reviewed annually due to Federal guidelines, however there needs to be new and improved methods introduced. Management is not very competent and try to blame others when there is no need to. They are doing their job, however how they are doing their job could be done differently. There is no 3 strikes, you're out. It is just you are out. Teachers are not given the chance to learn. Teachers are written up and told to follow along. I continue to hear stories from others who have been demoted instantly and/or written up. The management does not support teachers well either. I have had an issue with a parent in the past and the management took the parents side.
Classrooms that were in desperate need of help did not look to management for help, or if they have, they were not given any proper help.When teachers tried to support each other, they were told their voice was not important and that teacher would have been in violation and written up if she continued.
 I've lost my appetite for teaching which is quite unfortunate because we need good teachers.

Advice to Senior Management

Talk to your teachers, learn from them and support them. Rework how to help teachers improve and give them notice when they do a great job. Work ethics need to be improved greatly.

Pros

Head Start is a wonderful program. It has its glitches and red tape but the premise is important and you will get a lot of on the job training. The benefits are excellent as is the paid time off. There are some amazing teachers to learn from. You work with people who really need help. The standards are generally higher for this program than many others.

Cons

Upper management (at least in my agency) is disorganized and not entirely competent but in general site directors are pretty good. Because the job is union there are many staff who are sub-par yet keep their jobs year after year. This is frustrating to everyone else! The pay isn't wonderful but it's a good job for someone who is providing a second income.

Advice to Senior Management

Get it together, people! There is no program without teachers. You need to find a way to encourage the good and get rid of the incompetent. You also need to find a much better way of communicating amongst yourselves and with everyone else. Stop wasting so much money on unnecessary things so that you can afford things the program really needs.

Pros

working with children and families in the head start is very rewarding...it also provides many opportunities for you to grwo within the field.

Cons

It gets very political at times. Not everyone is there for the children and families and thats what head start is all about

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees. THey are the ones working closest with the families and without them the agencies would not run.

Pros

working with children, doing something good, rewarding work, decent people to work with for the most part, overall not a bad job.

Cons

Pay was low, cut-backs are leading to lay offs and you never get a raise, could be unorganized at times.

Advice to Senior Management

more organization is needed, better feedback to employees, better communication needed, higher wages are necessary to attract better employees to work there.