Head Start

Early Head Start is an inclusive high-quality in-home child development program designed for expectant families, infants and toddlers birth to age three. We believe parents are a child’s first and best teacher. The Parents as Teachers curriculum provide a basis for lessons and activities. Parent interaction and involvement during home visits is the key to a positive Early Head Start experience.

Program Options

In-Home: A home visitor will meet with you in your home once a week at a regularly scheduled time. During your 1.5-hour visit, you will receive information regarding child development and participate in activities designed according to meet your child’s goals and needs. Play and Learn Sessions (PALS), a group socialization experience, are held twice per month. PALS provide an opportunity for adults and children to build connections in a fun environment.

Expectant Families: Pregnant women receive home visits for prenatal education and support. Once your baby is born, your child enters the program in your place, and is then considered an Early Head Start child. 

(Note: In the case of multiple births, enrollment for all children at the time of birth cannot be guaranteed.)

It’s preschool time! Children ages 3-5 attend class at one of our preschool classroom locations or in rural areas can receive in-home preschool services (once per week). Classroom options include, half day, extended day, and full-day/full-year in partnership with community child care providers (Vermillion). 

Head over to the Apply section to complete an application and join in the fun!

Program Options

Center-Based: Children learn best through play, so our preschool classrooms are designed to maximize learning by providing quality learning centers and activities where children learn and explore. The Creative Curriculum meets the standards set forth in the Head Start Early Learning Guidelines. Each day is spent exploring and experimenting through play, music, language and physical activities. All activities are success-oriented and help children grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. We provide 2-3 meal opportunities each day (based on half or full-day program enrollment). This may include breakfast, lunch, and snack. Two home visits and two conferences are completed each program year. You will help set goals for your child’s development in a “school readiness plan.”

In-Home: We will bring preschool to your door! A home visitor will meet with you in your home once a week at a regularly scheduled time. During your 1.5-hour visit, you will receive information regarding child development and participate in preschool activities designed to meet your child’s goals and needs. Play and Learn Sessions (PALS), a group socialization experience, are held twice per month. PALS provide an opportunity for adults and children to build connections in a fun environment.

Full-Day, Full-Year (Available in Vermillion): We partner with licensed community childcare centers to provide Head Start services within a childcare setting. You are eligible to enroll your child in this option if you are working, attending school, or training and need at least 30 hours of childcare weekly. This Head Start option runs 12 months a year, five days a week. The cost of childcare is greatly reduced as you will not be charged for hours your child attends Head Start.