WHAT IS HEAD START?
Head Start is an early childhood education and development program that fosters healthy development for eligible children and families.
Head Start and Early Head Start provide early childhood and family development services for:
- Children from birth to age 5
- Pregnant women
- Families
Head Start services cover a range of areas:
- Education and early childhood development
- Medical, dental, and mental health
- Nutrition
- Parental involvement and family support
How Can Head Start Help Your Child?
Every morning and afternoon, up to 20 children between the ages of 3 and 5 benefit from the stimulating, encouraging environment that Head Start provides. Activities include a daily meal, group learning time, science experiments, and of course, fun on the playground! At Head Start, we focus on the whole child, preparing them for success in kindergarten and beyond!
Education
A child’s early years are very important to their learning and development, and kids learn best when they are active.
Head Start prepares children for success in school and in life by teaching them how to learn, not just in preschool, but throughout their lives.
Four areas of development:
- Social and emotional development
- Physical development
- Intellectual development
- Language development
Curriculum approach:
- Support active learning
- Encourage exploration through play
- Promote development of the whole child
Curriculum Goals:
- For children to become enthusiastic learners
- For children to get along with each other
Our Service
WHAT IS EARLY HEAD START?
Early Head Start provides continuous, intensive child development and family support on a year-round basis for low-income pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers ages birth to 3 years.
The purpose of Early Head Start is to:
- Enhance children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development
- Support parents’ efforts to fulfill their parental roles
- Help parents move toward self-sufficiency
OACAC respects the parents’ role as their child’s first and most influential teacher:
- We work with parents to set developmentally appropriate goals for their children
- We host family nights for participating families
- Clients receive regular home visits
EHS cares for each child as an individual:
- We require weekly observations of each child’s development
- We compile quarterly developmental assessment reports
- Information is used to plan for each child’s learning and care individually
OACAC ensures that all EHS teachers are qualified to provide excellent care by requiring that all teachers have, at minimum, and Infant/Toddler CDA or its equivalent at the time of hire or within one year.
ELIGIBILITY
Who Is Eligible for Head Start?
Head Start serves three populations: (1) Families with incomes below designated poverty guidelines; (2) Children from homeless families; (3) Children in Foster Care; (4) Families receiving public assistance such as TANF or SNAP.
Head Start Income Guidelines 2021-2022
| # OF PERSONS IN FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD | ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME |
|---|---|
| 1 | $12,880 |
| 2 | $17,420 |
| 3 | $21,960 |
| 4 | $26,500 |
| 5 | $31,040 |
| 6 | $35,580 |
| 7 | $40,120 |
| 8 | $44,460 |
Head Start Age Requirements 2021-2022
Children are eligible for Head Start once they turn three years old. Four year old children still have priority.
| Date Range | Age |
|---|---|
| 8/1/2016 - 7/31/2017 | 4 year-olds |
| 8/1/2017 - 7/31/2018 | 3 year-olds |
Early Head Start Age Requirements 2021-2022
Children who are birth to three years-old and pregnant women.
| Date Range | Age |
|---|---|
| 8/1/2018 - 7/31/2019 | 2 year-olds |
| 8/1/2019 - 7/31/2020 | 1 year-olds |
| 8/1/2020 - 7/31/2021 | Babies |
CONTACT
How Can You Sign Up for Head Start?
For information about enrolling your child in Head Start, call 417-864-3430 or toll free at 1-866-282-3430. You can also fill out our Parent Information Request form and turn it in at one of our offices.
VOLUNTEER TODAY
You can support early childhood development by volunteering at your local Head Start!
DONATE TODAY
Your support gives kids a healthy start and prepares them for a lifetime of learning success!