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What is the Head Start Program? |
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Head Start is a federally funded program that offers a variety of educational and comprehensive developmental services to low income preschool children ages 3 to 4. Children with special needs are welcome and are supported through additional services. |
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What does it cost?
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Options Head Start families receive the benefits of the program without cost to them. Families must qualify by meeting the Federal Eligibility Guidelines. Family income eligibility may be waived for some families with children who have been identified with or as having special needs.
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What is a Home Base Program? |
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Parent Educators visit families once a week for 1 1/2 hours. Through joint participation in age appropriate and interesting activities, parents and parent educators learn about the child's social and cognitive development in pre-school for kindergarten. Bi-monthly socialization meetings allow parents and children an opportunity to interact and to learn from one another in a group setting in the classroom and the community. |
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What are the hours for your program?
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- Head Start is a 9 1/2 month program (most often corresponding with the public school calendar).
- Except for our full day program, the programs do not operate during the summer.
- Half day programs are either morning (8-12) or afternoon (12:30-4:30).
- Full day programs are from 6:30 am – 6:00 pm.
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Is your staff qualified?
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We have a highly qualified and professional staff in our Head Start centers. Teachers have a child development teacher permit and many have an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education.
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What about Parent Involvement? |
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Parent involvement is key to our program's planning and decision-making process through parent committees, policy council meetings and workshops. Parents are offered unique educational and hands on workshops and training. We believe that a child flourishes in school when a parent is making a positive impact at the child's school.
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What do I need to qualify for the program? |
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You need to meet the federal income guidelines or have a child with an I.E.P. Child must be age eligible (3 to 4 years of age and not kindergarten eligible). |
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What about Community Services? |
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Family Services Specialists are available to assist families in accessing community resource such as food, housing, clothing, transportation, child dental services, educational training, ESL classes, counseling and employment services.
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What about Health/Nutrition? |
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We offer health and nutrition services by monitoring the child development through free dental, hearing and vision screenings. Our nutrition program will provide healthy meals and snacks. We also facilitate medical and nutritional referrals. |
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How can I get enrolled? |
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- Call our main office at (929) 459-4299.
- Meet federal income guidelines (can be waived for child with an I.E.P.).
- Child must be 3–4 years old based on the school district cut off date.
- Live in the Options Head Start service area of Covina, West Covina, San Gabriel, Glendora, South El Monte, Monrovia and Northeast Los Angeles.
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