John Monfredo: Still Time to Give Your Child a “Head Start” on School

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Saturday, July 21, 2012

John Monfredo, GoLocalWorcester Education Contributor

Those families looking for a Head Start placement for their three or four year olds still have time to enroll their child in this strong early development readiness program. The mission of the Worcester Child Development Head Start Program is to provide a community-based program that focuses on enhancing the self-esteem, personal growth an school readiness skills of children, while providing families with opportunities, training, and resources to help them reach their full potential.

There are four Head Start sites in Worcester and they are at Mill Swan, Millbury Street, Vernon Hill, and Greendale. All the sites still have limited openings for school in September. In general, eligibility for Head Start is based on the child’s age and family income. A child must be least three years old by the date used to determine eligibility for public schools, December 31st.

Income Requirements

Family income includes total income before taxes from all sources. Documentation of family income is required to enroll a child. The income guidelines are established by the Office of Management and Budget and are updated each year. A family must be within the income guidelines to qualify for Head Start unless the child has a documented disability. In addition, children in foster care are automatically eligible, and as are families receiving public assistance.

The income guidelines are as following: family of 1 …. $11, 170, family of 2…. $15,130, family of 3 …. $19,090, family of 4….$23,050, family of 5…. $27,010… family of 6 …. $30,970, family of 7….$34,930 and a family of 8….$38,890.

The children in the program have a curriculum that is designed to support the child’s educational process by providing small group instruction as well as opportunities for individual exploration and curiosity. The Head Start teaching teams encourage the children to explore, experiment, solve problems, question and gain mastery through learning by doing.

Grants Expand Curriculum

Unlike many other Head Start Programs, Worcester’s Head Start has taken advantage of grant opportunities and has had several special projects. They received one of the nation's 32 Early Reading First grants in 2007. This three year grant in partnership with the Education Development Center helped to enhance early education services by implementing a new literacy curriculum based on reading research.

The grant also supplied valuable professional development to the teaching staff. Early Reading First results showed that over 86% of the preschool age children attending Head Start and who participated in Early Reading First demonstrated age appropriate oral language skills. In addition, instructional and assessment practices of teachers improved in 4 key areas – oral language, phonological awareness, knowledge of concept of print and alphabet knowledge through coaching and mentoring and professional development opportunities.   

In addition, each child receives comprehensive health services that include a broad range of medical, dental, nutritional, mental health and disability services. The objective is to promote preventative health care screening at the center and provide children and their families with access to quality medical and dental intervention, along with nutrition services. Every effort is made to assist families in complying with immunization recommendations and childcare exams by assisting the family with referrals, making appointments and providing transportation if needed.

Several Options Available

All families have the option of choosing a program that meets their individual needs. Programs include half day traditional Head Start classrooms or full day classrooms for working families or families who attend school or are in job training programs. For more information on the Head Start program, or to enroll your child, call 508 799-3508.

Research continues to point out the importance of children being involved in early learning. It starts with a mother reading to her child at birth. If you are not eligible for Head Start, the Worcester Public Schools have over twenty-five preschool classrooms offering half day programs. In addition, there are many qualified early learning agencies in the city of Worcester.

It is essential that you consider giving your child the ability to get off to a strong educational start by enrolling your child in one of the many programs offered in Worcester. 

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