Early Head Start

Early Head Start (federally funded) is an intensive, comprehensive, flexible program that is designed to re-enforce and respond to the unique strengths and needs of each individual child and family.  

Mission Statement:

Early Head Start promotes healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, encourages healthy family interactions, and enhances the development of children from birth to three.
Program Services Include:

• Quality early education both in and out of the home
• Parenting education
• Comprehensive health and mental services, including services to women before, during, and after pregnancy
• Nutrition education
• Family support services

Eligibility:

Early Head Start is a child development program primarily for low income families who meet the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Those families needing child care will need to be approved for child care subsidies through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Program Options:

1. Center-Based Services: Child care for children ages one month through three years is available Monday through Friday at the Center.
2. Combination Services: Children and their families are supported through weekly home visits and bimonthly group socialization experiences

Program Services:

Education:
The main goal of the educational services is to provide your child with a quality child care experience developed to meet individual needs. The children will be provided with a wide range of learning experiences. Developmental screenings will be done on all children at the beginning of the year and updated throughout the school year to determine each child's individual needs and strengths.

Health:
Our health services include medical, dental, nutrition, and mental health. Medical, dental, and developmental histories of your child will be gathered. All children enrolled in the Early Head Start program will be expected to complete physical, vision, hearing, and speech screenings, immunizations, and dental treatment. At the center your child will receive hot, tasty, nutritious meals. The children will follow a meal with tooth brushing.

Social Services:
This component is responsible for seeing that families are supported in identifying their needs, strengths, and goal-setting. Resources and referrals are provided to meet individual needs.

Parent Involvement:
You, as a parent, are vital to our program. Early Head Start recognizes, supports, and provides opportunities for parent involvement in all aspects of the program. Parent Education and family support services are vital parts of our program. For more information and links to Parent Education Programs visit the Family Life Education web site.

Home Visits:
Parents are a child's first teacher. They are the most important influence in their child's development, the primary educators of their children. We feel that our programs are most successful when staff and parents work as a team. One of the best ways of accomplishing this team approach is through home visits. Home visits are a way to build your skills and knowledge and increase Early Head Start's effectiveness.

Nondiscrimination Statement:
These child care services are available to all eligible children and parents regardless of age, sex, race, creed, color, marital status, religion, national origin, disabled veteran status, Vietnam-Era veteran status, or disability.