Head Start is designed to serve children through effective learning experiences that enhance their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. 

These experiences include:

• Culturally diverse curricula based on best early childhood practices
• Flexible teaching techniques that fit the program day and maximize teachable moments
• Indoor and outdoor play
• Developmental and curricula planned activities
  
• Encouragement to express feelings and successfully negotiate conflict
• Parent inclusion in the curriculum planning and implementation of volunteer staff to maintain low child-to-staff ratios
• Transitional activities that ensure developmental continuity
• Language, literacy, math, and science-rich environments

Head Start teachers also conduct in-home visits for each family to address the child within the context of their family, allowing them to truly partner with parents as their child’s education begins. 

Assessments and Intervention

The Head Start program formally assesses children in all developmental areas 3 times throughout the program year. Ongoing assessment is completed for each child, and activities are planned to help each child meet their individual goals. Screening results are shared with and explained to parents during home visits and parent conferences. 

Assessment data is analyzed each period to determine which areas need attention. Assessment results are shared and explained to parents during home visits and parent conferences. Our program offers an academic interventionist who works directly with 4-year-olds advancing to kindergarten who need additional one-on-one teaching or small group activities to improve various learning areas. 

At least 10% of enrollment opportunities are available to children with disabilities or developmental delays. Head Start makes a special commitment to ensure that young children with disabilities are provided with an enriching and accepting learning environment.

Family and Community Partnerships

Head Start is a bridge between families and the community, and our primary focus is to support families in their growth and development. For this reason, each family in the program is assigned a family support specialist. 

In addition, we partner with parents to:

• Be their child’s first teacher
• Volunteer and observe in the classroom or during any part of the program 
• Provide input and receive parent education training through various activities and programs
• Participate in governing Head Start by achieving skills in decision making, group process, and leadership
• Join parent committees and the policy council to have a voice in administrative decisions 

Some of our community partners who help us provide services include:

• Community Colleges
• Vo-techs
• United Way
• Local employers
• Even Start and other family literacy programs
• Health providers and resources
• Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Gateway
• Florida Department of Children and Families
• Partnership for Strong Families
• School System Drop Out Prevention Program
• Mental Health Agencies
• Health Services

Literacy is the foundation that a child’s education is built on, and its importance is stressed throughout our entire Head Start program. 

Skills Development and Parent Participation

Children enjoy print-rich environments in the classroom and are encouraged to develop their language and literacy skills. Parents are supported to improve their own literacy skills, obtain basic adult education, and incorporate reading into their family’s daily home life. We also encourage parent observation and volunteerism in classroom activities and field trips, and we provide activities families can do together at home. Father and male involvement in children’s lives and the Head Start program are strongly encouraged. Our goal is to empower families with the knowledge they need for their child’s smooth transition from Head Start and to be their child’s advocate in school and beyond.

Physical Health

Children need to be healthy and well-nourished to learn and grow to their full potential, which is why preventative health services are essential for Head Start’s comprehensive services. Early in the enrollment process, Head Start staff and community partners ensure families have access to ongoing health care and assist families in using all available resources and insurance options. 

Our program focuses on every child’s basic health needs and instilling healthy behaviors that help prevent illness and enhance their lifelong well-being. Identifying and addressing health concerns early helps prevent their interference with a child’s learning and development. 

Our comprehensive health care program includes a complete health examination with screening for chronic or disabling conditions, a vision and hearing test, a dental examination, and verification that immunizations are up to date, with follow-ups scheduled to address any issues. During National Dental Health Month (February), classes receive special training on proper oral health care, and each child receives a dental care package. 

We also focus on the following areas:

• Disabilities – our coordinator works with local agencies to ensure that enrolled children with diagnosed disabilities receive the appropriate services.
• Mental Health – A designated mental health professional works with our program to help identify children’s mental health needs as we simultaneously work with parents to improve their parenting skills.
• Oral Health – We network with local dental providers to increase dental care for our enrolled children and prenatal moms and provide developmentally appropriate oral health education to our enrolled children, their families, our staff, and the community.
• Pregnancy – Services to pregnant women include comprehensive prenatal and postpartum health and dental care, prenatal education, and breastfeeding education and accommodations.