Early Head Start
What is Early Head Start?
Early Head Start is a federally funded program for pregnant women and children ages newborn to three. It is offered at no charge to eligible families and eligibility is based on age and income.
A reminder: childcare beyond the Early Head Start day is charged to the family.
Center-Based – Early Head Start
Early Head Start classrooms operate Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with wrap-around child care offered in Mayville and Hillsboro from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The core of our curriculum in Early Head Start is to develop close relationships, trust, curiosity and motivation in each child through daily interactions. The environments are set up to promote exploration, an essential ingredient to early learning and development.
The staff ensures a safe, nurturing, supportive and healthy environment while promoting the parents as their child's primary care teacher. Each child will have a care teacher who is responsible for the child's primary care when the parent is not present. Primary care-giving implies one individual care teacher will be accountable for a small group of children in the room.
The children and their families are involved with all Early Head Start components including health, nutrition, family services, parent involvement, social services and child development. The classroom care teacher and program administrative staff support and assist the family with any goals they choose to strive for.
Home-based – Early Head Start
The home-based program is a comprehensive Early Head Start program option offered in both the family's home and with socialization opportunities. A home visitor will come into the home four times per month. In the home environment, parents are encouraged to be the "teacher." The home visitor facilitates and also works with the child.
The program offers socialization opportunities two times per month. These socialization meetings offer the child and families the opportunity to come to the center and interact with other children and parents.
The family is involved with all Early Head Start components including health, nutrition, family services, parent involvement, social services and child development. The home visitor and administrative staff support and assist the family on any goals they choose to strive for.
Prenatal Services – Early Head Start
The program offers services to pregnant women and expectant families. A home visitor will meet with the family at least one time each month. The purpose of the visit is to provide information, resources and support related to pregnancy and planning for the new baby. The program also works with the parent(s) to decide which program (home-base or center-base) option will best meet the needs for the new child and the family.
The expectant parents and family members are involved with all Early Head Start components including health, nutrition, family services, parent involvement, social services and child development. The home visitor and administrative staff support and assist the family on any goals they choose to strive for.
