What Is Head Start All About?

Hi T.
A friend of mine had her child registered to her local head start program so that she could attend college. The head start program was housed in her campus and operated during school hours. You might want to check the website so that you can become familiarize and can help you decide if head start will meet your daughters needs.According to the website:
"Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families" "The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. In FY 1995, the Early Head Start program was established to serve children from birth to three years of age in recognition of the mounting evidence that the earliest years matter a great deal to children's growth and development.

Good Luck

I don't know much about the head start school, but if you live near Pompton Lakes I own and operate my own daycare/preschool. My rates are affordable. We also offer the Tumblebus, computer class and dance class which are extra charges, but are very affordable. We offer cold breakfast, Pizza Day and snacks which are included in rate.
I am open all year round except for holidays.

If interested call my school.

Thanks and good luck.

M. S.
Director/Owner
Little Achievers
235 Wanaque Ave.
Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
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Head Start is a free federaly funded program for pregnant women and children. The organazations stress the fact that parents are their children's first teachers. The staff work in classrooms with other children and work on your childs overall development; there is even an individual component where home visitor visit your home and work one to one with you and your child; focusing on areas that may need a little help like fine motor skills. To qualify you must meet certain requirements like live below the povery line,live in the catchement area, and be a certain age. For example children who are 3mths to 3yrs old qualify for Early Head Start and children from age 3 to 5 qualify for Head Start. Go to their website for more information www.NHSA.org. Its a great organization I actually work for one out of Columbia University School of Public Health.

Head Start and Nursery school are about the same. My son goes to a school that takes children from age 2.8 - 8th grade. I thought I was doing something when I sent my other child to school when he was 4. I was wrong. My baby who stated school at age 3.6 is in a nursery class I would have been satisfied with him coming home with appropreiate social skills but I got soooo much more.

He is learning his letters, numbers, and colors. They have story time and play time. They learn about taking turns and manners. He even gets homework. A lot of homework. Tracing, coloring, matching numbers, etc.

While I don't think the 2 years olds are where these kids are but they are learning. If you can get your child into a head start or nursery school do it. You will not be sorry. Be sure to look around. Visit schools in your area. Make an appointment but also just stop by to see what it isl like when the children are around. I am uneasy when a school will only let you look around when you have an appointment. It makes me feel like they have something to hide. After all, I just want to look I am not interviewing students or teachers.

If money is an issue, as it always is, look into ACD to find out if they will help you pay for it. Many of the more expensive schools accept government programs as payment. Don't be shut out. Most of these schools have some sort of summer program and they are usually open until about 5:45/6 because parents work. Look around. Good luck. Maybe you can try them for the summer and if you like them and your daughter seems happy you can register your daughter for the school year.