What is Head Start?
Head Start is a comprehensive child development program which serves children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families.
Goals of Head Start
Head Start provides children with activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. The Head Start staff recognize that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. Head Start welcomes parent involvement in Head Start activities, and will work as partners with parents to help their child progress.
Philosophy
Head Start staff members offer children love, acceptance, understanding, and the opportunity to learn and to 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.
Head Start Services
Children's Services
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Academic: Head Start prepares children for school by teaching them to listen, speak clearly, follow directions, solve problems, and use numbers and words. |
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Social: The program teaches children to respect others and how to cooperate and resolve differences. |
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Health: Head Start teaches personal and dental hygiene and provides daily nutrition and health screenings and follow-up care by medical and dental professionals. |
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Disabilities: Children with disabilities are welcomed and receive services from specially trained teachers. At least 10 percent of Head Start participants have physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. |
Family/Community Services
Through personal counsel, resource-sharing, Head Start helps family members with academic, childrearing, job and housing issues.
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Parents and grandparents volunteer in the classroom or on field trips and serve on the Policy Council, which guides each local program. |
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Head Start partners with community groups and businesses to link children and families with resources such as medical/dental care, child care, or job training. |
Staff Services
The dedication of Head Start staff is reinforced by many opportunities to learn and grow in their profession. Up to 5 percent of program budgets go to staff education and training.
Head Start receives its funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration of Children Youth and Families.
Information Request
For more information on Head Start for pregnant mothers and children from 0 to 3 contact your County Early Head Start Office. For children 3 to age 5 contact your County Head Start Center. Head Start is available in all counties except Riley. For Riley County Head Start see
http://www.raisingriley.org/sitemap.htmOr
Rose Sigmund, Head Start Director
785-742-2222 or 888-904-8159 ext. 202