Head Start is a federally funded early childhood pre-school 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 Head Start is a program for at-risk infants and toddlers of pregnant teens/women who live in southeast Newport News. Children served range in age from birth to three.

Early Head Start is also a federally funded early childhood program for 32 at-risk infants and toddlers of pregnant teens/women who live in southeast Newport News. 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. Comprehensive services for children and families are: Health, Education, Nutrition, Parent Involvement, Family Services, Mental Health/Disabilities, and Community/Family Partnerships.

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.

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. Head Start uses the Creative Curriculum.

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.

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.

For more information on the success of this program, download the 2007-2008 Annual Report.

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