Early Head start provides Quality Child Care and other services for expectant families and
children birth to age 3 years.
DISCLAIMER : This website is supported by Grant Number [08CH012999] from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.
What is Early Head Start ?
Early Head Start programs provide family-centered services for low-income families with very young children, to promote the development of the children, and enable their caregivers to fulfill their roles and to move toward self-sufficiency.
Early Head Start programs provide similar services as preschool Head Start programs, but they are tailored for the unique needs of infants and toddlers. Early Head Start programs promote the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of infants and toddlers through safe and developmentally enriching care giving. This prepares these children for continued growth and development and eventual success in school and life.
Following the general Head Start model, Early Head Start programs support parents, both mothers and fathers, in their role as primary caregivers and teachers of their children. Programs assist families in meeting their own personal goals and achieving self-sufficiency across a wide variety of domains, such as housing stability, continued education, and financial security. Early Head Start programs also mobilize the local community to provide the resources and environment necessary to ensure a comprehensive, integrated array of services and support for children and families.
