Head Start Program

What is Head Start?
Head Start is a comprehensive program for children from age three to five and their families. The goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of social competence in young children, in particular those of lower-income families. Social competence is defined as a child's everyday effectiveness in dealing with both the present environment and later responsibilities.

Key principles of Head Start include:
Comprehensive services. To develop fully and achieve social competence, children and families need a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to services including education, health, nutrition, social services, and parent involvement. The range of services available must also be responsive and appropriate to each child and family's unique developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic experiences.Head Start is family-centered and designed to foster a parents' role as the principal influence on their children's development and as their children's primary educators, nurturers, and advocates. Parents are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of Head Start, including direct involvement in policy and program decisions that respond to their interests and needs.

Community partnerships and community-based services
Head Start programs are community-based; with models of service based on the unique needs of the diverse communities they serve.

Head Start Helps all children succeed
Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Most children in Head Start are between the ages of three and five years old.

What can the Head Start Program offer to your Child?
Head Start provides children with activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. The Head Start staff recognize that, as parents, you are the first and most important teachers of your children. They will welcome your involvement in Head Start activities, and will work as partners with you to help your child progress.

Head Start staff members offer your child love, acceptance, understanding, and the opportunity to learn and experience success. Head Start children socialize with others, solve problems, and have other experiences which help them become self-confident. The children also improve their listening and speaking skills.

The children spend time in stimulating settings where they form good habits and enjoy playing with toys and working on tasks with classmates. Your child will leave Head Start more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning, and ready to succeed.

Your Head Start child will also be examined by skilled professionals for any health problems. Professionals will arrange vision and hearing tests and any needed immunizations. Head Start offers a nutrition assessment and dental exams as well. Children with health needs receive follow-up care. Mental, Behavioral health and other services are available for children and families who wish to receive them.

What would be your child's routine in a Head Start program?
In our Head Start program, your child would attend a half-day center-based program. Some of our centers offer children bus rides to and from home. When the children arrive at the center, they are greeted warmly by their teachers. They put whatever they have brought from home in a place which is their own to use every day.

Classroom time includes many different activities. Some teachers begin the day by asking the children to sit in a circle. This encourages the children to talk about an idea or experience they want to share with others. Additionally, the children are encouraged to plan their activities. They may choose among art, playing with blocks or table toys, science activities, dancing to music, looking at books, or pretend housekeeping. Children can switch activities if they prefer another challenge.

Each day, they have time to work in a small group with other children and to play outdoors on safe playground equipment.

At lunchtime, children receive a nutritious meal and brush their teeth. All the children are taught to wash their hands before meals and after using the restroom, and are encouraged to develop good personal and health habits. If they come for an afternoon session, they also receive a healthy snack.

What can Head Start offer your family?
Head Start offers you a sense of belonging, other support services, and a chance to be involved in activities to help your whole family. You can take part in training classes on many subjects, such as child rearing, job training, learning about health and nutrition, and using free resources in your own community. Some parents learn the English language; others learn to read. Head Start also offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or other adult education opportunities.

If you have a family member with a special problem, such as drug or alcohol abuse, job loss, or other family crisis, your family can receive help through Head Start. Head Start staff members refer families needing help to medical, social, welfare, or employment specialists they know in the community, and will follow up to be sure you receive assistance.

You can become a Head Start volunteer and learn more about child development. This experience may later qualify you for training which can help you find employment in the child care field.

You can also have a voice in the Head Start program by serving on various committees. Parents' experiences in Head Start have raised their own self-confidence and improved their ability to make decisions.