Early Head Start

Overview

Early Head Start is a federally funded program for pregnant women and children birth to age three from income eligible families living in the following counties: Collin, Grayson and Rockwall. The school district boundaries include campuses in McKinney, Rockwall, and Sherman. This comprehensive early childhood program provides services in education, health, social services, nutrition, mental health, and parent involvement. Primary eligibility is based on income and may include but is not limited to pregnant and parenting teens, children in foster care, homeless families and children with disabilities.

Program Options

Home Based Program Option
In the Early Head Start, families can consider a more flexible program through the Home Based Early Childhood Education Program.

Parent Educators make weekly home visits scheduled collaboratively with the families. Playgroups are scheduled twice a month to foster learning through socializations.

By working together in an environment most familiar to the participants and using items from the home that promote learning and development, families and educators become partners with the same important goal: preparing children to succeed in school.

Center Based Program Option

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 caregiving. This prepares children for continued growth and development and eventual success in school and life.

In the Center Based Program Option, education and child development services are delivered primarily in classroom settings, which are located in an Early Head Start center, school, or child care center. Staff members also visit family homes at least twice per year. Following the general Head Start model, Early Head Start programs supports the child's primary caregiver (mom, dad, aunt, grandparent, foster parent), in their role as caregiver and teacher of their children.

For additional information or questions regarding our program, please contact one of our Early Head Start team members at (972) 348-1144.