The program's tailored learning activities are thoughtfully curated to ensure that every child experiences meaningful developmental progress. By the time they reach kindergarten, children who have participated in the Head Start program are not only more prepared academically, but they have also developed crucial social and emotional skills, setting them on a trajectory for success in their educational journey and beyond.
What Does a Day at Head Start Look Like?
Think of Head Start as an early childhood education program similar to preschool. Head Start is for families and their children ages three to five. Head Start follows a calendar similar to schools, running approximately August through June. From educational fun and activities to nutritional meals and snacks, Head Start provides a strong foundation and family support that helps prepare your child for success in Kindergarten with a strong foundation of education, communication, and wellness.
During their time in our Head Start program, you can expect your child to experience:
Fun, educational, age-appropriate
activities and books
Nutritious meals and snacks
Inclusion of children with disabilities
Book lending library
Bi-lingual staff and interpreters
Vision, hearing, height, weight, and developmental screenings
For parents, we also include:
- Parenting and child development education
- Family involvement opportunities
- Advocacy, resource information, and referrals
- Home visits
Our Head Start offering is a transformative program that recognizes parents as their children's primary educators and provides them with invaluable support in this crucial role. Through a holistic approach, the program empowers parents to be actively engaged in their child's learning journey, offering them the tools, resources, and guidance they need to foster development. For enrollment, a child must be three years old on September 1st.
"I am very happy with the Head Start program. The program is very beneficial to all preschoolers and having Taylor attend Head Start was a great decision."
— Reach-Up Head Start Parent
"I am very happy
with the Head Start program. The program is very beneficial to all preschoolers and having Taylor attend Head Start was a great decision."
— Reach-Up Head Start Parent
Head Start Program Options
We believe in supporting parents and their children in whatever setting is best for them. Our Head Start program offers a variety of options, including:
Home-Based:
- No cost
- Families meet with their home visitor for an hour and a half, once a week
- Families receive home visits that enhance relationship-building between parents and children
- Families attend Socialization Days two times a month for group activities
- Snacks are provided at Socialization Days
Child Care Center:
- Children receive Head Start and child care in a licensed child care center
- Childcare fee of $17/day
- Head Start is provided at no cost from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on program days
- The center is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Breakfast, lunch, and a snack are provided
- To be eligible, a parent must work at least 30 hours a week or attend school full-time
Center-Based Program:
- No cost
- Children attend classroom sessions for three and a half hours or seven hours, Monday through Thursday
- Morning classes receive breakfast and afternoon classes receive lunch. Seven-hour classes will receive breakfast and lunch.
"The Home Visitor exposed us to information and activities that we otherwise would not have shared. Her visit is a high point in our week."
— Reach-Up Head Start Parent