In March 1966 the Newport News School Board transferred Head Start to the Office of Human Affairs.

T.C. Erwin, Thomas Jefferson, Booker T. Washington, and Denbigh Elementary Schools were used as Head Start Centers.  Parents were utilized as Bus Drivers, Teacher Aides, Nutrition Aides, and Social Service Aides.   this initial staff received at least six weeks of intensive training in Early Childhood Education at Hampton Institute and Virginia State College.  The program lasted eight weeks with an enrollment of 600 students five years of age.

In January 1970, Head Start became a full-year operation.  Located at the Wesley Grove Church of Christ on Roanoke Avenue.  One hundred fifty children five years old were enrolled.  There were ten classrooms and approximately thirty employees, including New Careerists and parents who served in all areas of the program.  With additional funds allocated, Head Start expanded to Hampton in September.

Head Start opened an experimental program, Home Start, from September 1973 to August 1976.  It provided Head Start services for young children and their families at the home.  It focused on family strengths and assisted parents in their roles as the first and most important educators of their children.

From 1972 to 1977 Head Start operated a pilot program, Infant Day Care.  This program offered day care services, in individual homes, for the infants of employed parents.

In 1979 a modern Head Start facility, "A Child's World," was built with funds received from HUD through the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority.  It is located on the corner of Ridley Circle and 16th Street in Newport News.

A second Head Start center was opened in the Denbigh area of Newport News.  This building is located near the corner of Deloice Crescent and Denbigh Boulevard.  The building was dedicated in November 1995 as the Robert D. Ayers, Jr., Head Start Center.

Since the inception of the program, OHA has continued to network and partner with other agencies in Hampton and Newport News communities to include: Hampton City School and Newport News Public School.  Additionally, a faith based partnership and a collaborative agreement was realized with Virginia State School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-disabled.  Finally, in 2003, "A Field of Dreams Became a Reality" for six Head Start and one Early Head Start classroom.  The state of the art Hampton Avenue Center, located at 610 Hampton Avenue, Newport News, Virginia, opened its doors for children, parents and staff.  with the collaborative efforts and generosity of the Region III Office and the City of Newport News.

 

 

Ethel W. Snead

Head Start/Early Head Start Director

 

 

What Is Head Start?

Head Start is a federally funded early childhood program for 477 children of low income families. Children must be 3 or 4 years of age and must live in the Hampton or Newport News communities. Some spaces may be reserved for over income families. Services are available for children with significant disabilities. Comprehensive services for children and families are: Health; Education; Nutrition; Family Services; Mental Health/Disabilities; Parent Involvement; Community Family Partnerships and Transportation for children residing in designated boundaries.

 

Early Childhood Education

Children in Head Start participate in a variety of individualized experiences for social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth. Daily, their indoor and outdoor activities include healthy play and wellness. Children are introduced to a variety of early literacy and math experiences. They are encouraged to express their feelings to develop self-confidence and are given the opportunity share and to get along with others. there is a balance of child-initiated activities during the day as opposed to teacher prepared projects to increase the child's level of development.

 

 

Family Services

Head Start offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED), starting a college education or trade school. Staff refers families needing help to: Medical/Dental Providers; Social Services; Budget Counseling; New Home Ownership Classes; Employment Opportunities and other services in the community. Staff will follow-up to be sure that families receive assistance.

 

 

Mental Health/Disabilities

Our program is proud to announce that we have #3 inclusive classrooms; (1) Hampton City Schools; (2) Newport News Public Schools. Additionally, staffing is provided by these local school systems. This collaboration provides opportunity for these exceptional preschoolers to receive services on site and for children with disabilities to be in a classroom with their typically developing peers.

 

 

Health Services

Head Start and Early Head Start recognizes that children learn better if they are well. There is a local and national emphasis on health for children, families and staff. Parents are encouraged to have medical/dental homes for their children. The community resources, utilized by parents, should offer routine child care with quality. This pattern will be beneficial in early intervention, prevention, growth and development.

 

 

Nutrition

Head Start serves nutritious meals that follow USDA and Head Start guidelines. A variety of foods are served from the Food Pyramid. Teachers and children eat "family style" and are encouraged to try new foods. Menus are sent home each month for review. Promoting a healthy lifestyle in families and children has top priority.

 

 

Transportation

Friendly Transportation Drivers and Monitors help to set the tone for the child's whole day of learning. Head Start has a "Ride and Read" program. Reading activities are provided on the Head Start and Early Head Start buses. Bus Monitors and safety restraints are on Head Start buses for safety and secure measures. Children are only released to authorized persons in writing, with parent approval.

 

 

 What Does Head Start/Early Head Start Offer Children?  

We provide children with activities that help them to grow: mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically.  Staff recognizes that parents are the first and most important nurturers/teachers of their children.  They welcome parent involvement in all activities to include: the decision making process through participation in center meetings and Policy Council.  Parents, staff and community agencies partner to ensure child progress.

Staff members offer children love, acceptance, understanding, and the opportunity to learn and to experience success.  Children socialize with others.  They solve problems and have other experiences to develop self confidence and social skills.

The children spend time in stimulating settings where they form good habits and enjoy playing with toys and working on tasks with classmates.  Children  leave Head Start more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning and ready to succeed.  Likewise, Early Head Start children transition easier into Head Start.

                                                            

 What Does Head Start/Early Head Start Offer Families?  

We offer families a sense of belonging, by providing support services, and a chance to be involved in activities to help the entire family.  Parents can take part in training classes such as: child-rearing, job training, learning about health and nutrition, and utilizing community resources.  

Head Start/Early Head Start offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or other adult education opportunities.  Staff refers families needing help to: medical providers, social services, employment specialist, and/or others in the community, and will follow-up to be sure that families receive assistance. 

  Parents can become volunteers to learn more about child development and program operations. This experience may later qualify parents for training, which can help them find employment, in the childcare field as well.  Parents can also have a voice in the program by serving on various committees.  

The Office of Human Affairs Head Start/Early Head  Start Program makes every attempt to meet family childcare needs through offering a variety of program options.  The different hours of operation will provide childcare for, parents who are working, in school and/or who are in training.

 

Schedules

Part-Day Session           8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Double Session 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. & 12::00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Full Day/Year Session    7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

What is Early Head Start?

Early Head Start is also a federally funded early childhood program for 32 at-risk infants and toddlers of pregnant teens/women. Children served range in age from birth to three. Some slots may be reserved for over income families. Services are offered to children with disabilities. Health, Education, Nutrition, Parent Involvement, Family Services, Mental Health/Disabilities, Community Family Partnerships and Transportation services are available for children and families.

Early Head Start makes available: early intervention services; pre/post natal follow-up care for women and children; teen parents can remain in school, and others are able to pursue their educational, personal and family goals.
 

Early Head Start children may transition into Head Start, thus enhancing a concept of birth to four childcare, education in a familiar setting, with consistent childcare providers.

  

Is There A Head Start/Early Head Start Program Near You?

 

The Office of Human Affairs Head Start Program has been in existence on the Peninsula for over 34 years.  Programs are being operated in 11 centers, in the Newport News and Hampton communities. 

                                                                       

A Child’s  World      600 Ridley Circle Newport News , VA 757-247-0149	Hampton Ave. Site  610 Hampton Avenue Newport News , VA  Phone:  246-9170
Aqueduct Ctr. 13226 Sojourner PL #1. Newport News , VA 757-874-5738	Suzanne E.  Jones Ctr. 1137 LaSalle Avenue Hampton , VA 757-723-3648
Ayers Ctr. 14357 Deloice Crescent  Newport News , VA 757-833-7700	T.P.P. 612 16th Street Newport News , VA 757-380-1644
Clark Ctr. 392 Maple Avenue Newport News , VA 757-244-0661	Oyster Point Ctr. 795 Pilot House Drive Newport News , VA 757-599-3497
Bassette School 671 Bell Street Hampton , VA 757-592-1526	Sixth Mount Zion 3100 Butternut Drive Hampton , VA 757-262-0733
State School 700 Shell Road Hampton , VA 757-592-1444

Office of Human Affairs

Head Start/Early Head Start Program

610 Hampton Avenue

Newport News , Virginia 23607

Phone:     (757) 246-9170

Fax:         (757) 246-9175

E-Mail:    esnead@ohainc.org

 

Last Updated: October 31, 2005