Could someone explain to me what Head Start is?

Christina - posted on 04/14/2012

The replies back regarding Head Start are accurate. Both my 2 kids have attended Head Start before entering "big school". It's a great jump start to intergrate them not only educationally but socially as well. My daughter & son 7 & 4 went from Head Start to Spanish Immersion program through our Schools of Choice Program here in Lafayette,LA and I thought it was important for them to spend a few years learning to speak mostly English before going to total Immersion. Whether your child will continue to learn English Or not Head Start is simply wonderful & I hope the programs continue for younger mothers.

Sarah - posted on 04/13/2012

I used to work for head start. For center-based (children actually go to the Head Start center) the child has to be 3 years old and qualify by income level. Most Head Starts also offer a home based option. A case manager will come to your house once a week, give you parent education and do an age appropriate activity with you and your child. It's a great opportunity to have outside education come into your home and they can also link you to other services in the community that you live in. Additionally, they have a "learn & play" group socialization once a month at the center where all the parents in the program can bring their children and "socialize" with one another. They usually provide a meal and do activities with you and your children. It's a great program. Call your local head start for more details.

Maryann - posted on 04/13/2012

Head Start is for at risk children who come from environmentally or economically deprived environments. Google it and you will see the wonderful impact it has had on many children.

Tracey - posted on 04/13/2012

In my area Head Start is for children have to 3 years old to attend Head Start. My daughter goes half days and she loves it. They work on basic learning skills, letters, numbers, colors, Name Recognition, Nutrition, as well as play time and crafts. It a great environment for her to interact with other children her age.



Also you no longer have to be low-income to qualify. You should stop into your local Head Start facility to see what their guidelines are. Hopefully this helps you.

Brittney - posted on 04/11/2012

Thank you! I will!

Katherine - posted on 04/11/2012

That's the main one. I'm positive you would qualify.



ETA: Stop by and fill out an application.

Brittney - posted on 04/11/2012

We make less than $10,000/year. I was wanting to see if it would be a good program to put my daughter in for a few hours a day to help her with her social development. She is around adults everyday, minus a few times with a 4 month old. What other kinds of qualifications are there? Or do you have to call them and ask? I just pass by the center everyday and kind of curious about it.

Katherine - posted on 04/11/2012

The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. In FY 1995, the Early Head Start program was established to serve children from birth to three years of age in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children's growth and development.



Head Start programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. They engage parents in their children's learning and help them in making progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. Significant emphasis is placed on the involvement of parents in the administration of local Head Start programs.



ETA: You have to be low income.