Northwest Buffalo Community Center Inc.

Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income
families. The Head Start program is operated by local non-profit organizations
in almost every county in the country. Children who attend Head Start
participate in a variety of educational activities. They also receive free medical
and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and
outdoors in a safe setting.

Head Start helps all children succeed. Services are offered to meet the special
needs of children with disabilities. Most children in Head Start are between the
ages of three and five years old. Services are also available to infants and
toddlers in selected sites.

Head Start provides children with activities that help them grow mentally,
socially, emotionally, and physically. The Head Start staff recognize that, as
parents, you are the first and most important teachers of your children. They will
welcome your involvement in Head Start activities, and will work as partners
with you to help your child progress.

Head Start staff members offer your child love, acceptance, understanding, and
the opportunity to learn and to experience success. Head Start children socialize
with others, solve problems, and have other experiences which help them
become self-confident. The children also improve their listening and speaking
skills.

The children spend time in stimulating settings where they form good habits
and enjoy playing with toys and working on tasks with classmates. Your child
will leave Head Start more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning,
and ready to succeed.

Your Head Start child will also be examined by skilled professionals for any
health problems. Professionals will arrange vision and hearing tests and any
needed immunizations. Head Start offers a nutrition assessment and dental
exams as well. Children with health needs receive follow-up care.

If you have a family member with a special problem, such as drug or alcohol
abuse, job loss, or other family crisis, your family can receive help through
Head Start.

When the children arrive at the center, they are greeted warmly by their
teachers. They put whatever they have brought from home in a place which is
their own to use every day.

Classroom time includes many different activities. Some teachers begin the
day by asking the children to sit in a circle. This encourages the children to
talk about an idea or experience they want to share with others. In come
centers, the children plan their activities. They may chose among art, playing
with blocks or table toys, science activities, dancing to music, looking at
books, or pretend housekeeping. Children can switch activities if they prefer
another challenge.

Each day, they have time to work in a small group with other children and to
play outdoors on safe playground equipment.

What Can Head Start Offer Your Family?

Head Start offers you a sense of belonging, other support services, and a
chance to be involved in activities to help your whole family. You can take part
in training classes on many subjects, such as child rearing, job training, learning
about health and nutrition, and using free resources in your own community.
Some parents learn the English language; others learn to read. Head Start also
offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General
Equivalency Diploma (GED) or other adult education opportunities.

You can also have a voice in Head Start program by serving on various
committees. Parents' experiences in Head Start have raised their own
self-confidence and improved their ability to make decisions.

Head Start staff members refer families needing help to medical, social
welfare, or employment specialists they know in the community, and will
follow up to be sure you receive assistance.

There are Head Start programs nationwide. Some Head Start programs offer
special services in addition to those described. The staff will be happy to
explain their services in detail then you contact them for information.

You can become a Head Start volunteer and learn more about child
development. This experience may later qualify you for training which can
help you find employment in the child care field.

Most children who enroll in Head Start attend a half-day center-based
program. However, some communities may operate a full day program or
provide Head Start services through a home-based setting. In a home-based
program, staff called Home Visitors teach parents how to provide learning
experiences for their own children.

At lunchtime, children receive a nutritious meal and brush their teeth. All the
children are taught to wash their hands before meals, and are encouraged to
develop good personal and health habits. If they come for an afternoon
session, they also receive a healthy snack.