RUNNING HEAD: HWD Head Start Preschool

High, Wider, Deeper Project

HEAD START PRESCHOOL

Resource File for Parents

Jessica Howard
ECSE 421
BYUIdaho

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Head Start Preschool Resource File

Deciding on a Preschool for your child is a big decision and it is important
that your child is given a strong foundation early on. And that the resources
and services they might need are available to them when they need it.

Thats why theres Head Start!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Head Start Preschool?

What is it?

Requirements for Head Start

Who can apply?
Classifications and Requirements?

How to Apply
How do I apply?
Where do I need to go?
Who do I talk to?

Resources Available
What resources are available through Head Start
Preschool?

Why Preschool?
Why is preschool important for my child?

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What is Head Start Preschool?

Question: What is it?
Answer: Head Start is a government funded organization that targets
young children by providing preschool experiences and early education to
young children. According to the NAEYC (National Association for the
Education of Young Children), Head Start is a program that originated as
part of an effort to fight poverty in America. This is done by providing
children (ages 3-5) and families with a range of resources (NAEYC, 2015).
There are also several different Head Start Options available for young
children, for example: Early Head Start, which targets children 0-3; Head
Start which targets children 3-5; and in some states even Migrant Head Start
Programs are available to children 3-5 who come from migrant family
backgrounds.
There are four major components of Head Start:
1. Education: Providing a variety of learning experiences to help children
grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally.
2. Heath: Providing health services such as immunizations, dental, and
mental health, and nutritional services, and early identification of
health problems.
3. Parent Involvement: Involving parents in the planning and implantation
of activities. Parents serve on policy councils and committees that
make administrative decisions.
4. Social Services: Provide outreach to families to determine what
services they need.
These components provide a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs
of young children (NAEYC, 2015).
Head Start Preschool programs across the country incorporate a whole-child
approach to learning and teaching, by implementing developmentally
appropriate practices that are set to help each child excel in their own way.
Head Start service programs range from all day to part-day Preschool
Services, contact your local Head Start program for more information.
Take a moment to watch these videos and to see what your child will experience in
a Head Start Preschool:

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3 minutes in a Head Start Classroom (2014).
Every Child Deserves a Head Start (2013).

Requirements for Head Start:

Question: Who can apply?
Answer: All may apply to Head Start Preschool.
However, highest consideration is given to children who come from lowincome families, pregnant mothers, 4 year olds, and children with disabilities.
Though, up to ten percent of the children may be from over-income families
who meet the selection criteria and who could benefit from Head Start
services (HSOLC, 2014).

Question: Classifications and Requirements?

Answer: Head Start serves children of low income families and select
children with disabilities. Information must be provided to the Local Head
Start Program in regards to family income or the disability of your child.
To determine income, Head start will examine any of the following: (AEOA,
2014)
Individual income tax form
W-2 forms
Pay stubs
Pay envelopes
Written statements from employers
Documentation showing public assistance payments
In order to participate in Head Start, the family income must fall below the
federal poverty line. Local programs are allowed to serve up to 10% of the
children with family income over the poverty line. Programs must use 10% of
the spaces for children with disabilities (NAEYC, 2015).
Head Start programs have flexibility to make up to 10% of their enrollment
opportunities available to children from families exceeding the Federal
Income guidelines when there are other significant needs facing that family;
having a child with a disability could be regarded as such a need. Head Start
regulations require that at least 90% of the children in their Head Start
program be from income-eligible families and that at least 10% of enrollment
opportunities are available to children with disabilities. If the grantee has not
met the 10% disability requirement, then a child with a disability from an

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over-income family should be considered for enrollment (ECLKC, 20072015).

Eligibility is also determined based off the point system that Head Start has
established to determine needs and the variety of requirements that are
met. Children will more point are more likely to be considered than lower
scoring children. An example of the point systems is provided on the
following page (AEOA, 2014) or can be found at http://www.aeoa.org/
under the Head Start Policies and Procedures tab which give specific
references to Federal Head Start requirements.

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How to Apply:
Question: How do I apply? Where do I need to go?
Answer: Procedures and applications change slightly based on your
community and state requirements. Applications also must be submitted
and obtained from your local Head Start Program.
To find you closest community Head Start Program go to: Early Childhood
Learning & Knowledge Center Head Start Locator at
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices.
Federal requirements will still need to be met and all children will be
considered based off of need and income, as the point system previously
shown and explained in the previous section.
A sample application is also provided from http://hss.sbcounty.gov/ and can
be found on the following page.

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Resources Available
Question: What resources are available through Head Start?
Answer: There are a wide range of resource and services available to
children and families through the Head Start Program. These resources help
in giving children the HEAD START they need in order to succeed.
Head
1.
2.
3.

Start Preschool offers:

Health and Wellness Services
Preschool Experiences for your child
Community Partnerships and supports for children with disabilities or
at risk for disabilities
4. Parent Involvement

Also, Head Start is focused on school readiness, so that at risk children are
prepared for kindergarten and the school experiences that are head of them.
This video, Head Start Approach to School Readiness explains some of the
strategies and techniques that Early Childhood Educators are implementing
in the preschool setting to help your child succeed.
Also, the video, Hanging in the Balance: A Head Start for Low-Income Kids
gives an inside look into some of the other resources available through Head
Start and what it entails. Check it out.
*both videos can be found at www.youtube.com and are cited on the Resources sheet at the end of this
resource file

An informational article from HeadStart4U is included at the end of this

section, explaining how Head Start can help your child and the various
resources and learning opportunities that available through the Head Start
Program.

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Why Preschool?

Question: Why is Preschool important?

Answer: There are significant reasons why your child should attend
Preschool:
1. Preschool is an opportunity for growth
2. Preschool prepares children for kindergarten
3. Preschool promotes social and emotional development
4. The preschool environment is structured
5. Children get to make choices
6. Children learn to take care of themselves and others
7. Preschool promotes language and cognitive skills
8. Preschool teachers nurture a childs curiosity
9. Preschool activities boost pre-math and literacy skills
10.
Preschool helps develop motor skills (Broatch, 2015).
According to Early Childhood Education professionals there are several
reasons why preschool is important for young children and provides a
foundation for learning. In preschool your child will listen to poetry and
songs -- building blocks needed to grasp phonics and reading skills when it is
developmentally appropriate. The play that takes place with water, sand, and
containers form the foundation for understanding some basic math concepts.
Matching, sequencing, one-to-one correspondence are all activities that are
done over and over in preschool settings and help children get ready to learn
academics. Watching other children pursue a challenging task is also helpful.
The presence of other children and a wide variety of materials are two big
reasons why a preschool is a good thing (Callaghan).

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Resources

2-4 interviews with related professionals/family members/agencies

Rebecca Howard, Special Education Professional in California

Kaelin Olsen, Early Childhood Education Professional (BYU-Idaho Faculty)

5-7 peer-review journal articles

Broatch, L. (2015). 10 good reasons your child should attend preschool.

GreatSchools. Retrieved March 9, 2015, from
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/1113-why-preschool.gs?
page=all
Callaghan, B. (n.d.). The Benefits of Preschool. Retrieved March 11, 2015, from
http://school.familyeducation.com/preschool/social-skills/42608.html
Christina, S. (2014, August 5). Head Start Endures, Evolves as 50-Year Milestone
Nears. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/08/06/37wop-headstart.h33.html
HeadStart4U. (2013). Preschool Experiences in Head Start. Retrieved March 11,
2015, from http://www.headstart4u.org/images/preschoolexperince.pdf
Strauss, V. (2014, February 28). Why preschool critics are wrong. Retrieved March
11, 2015, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answersheet/wp/2014/02/28/why-preschool-critics-are-wrong/

5-7 official source websites

AEOA. (2014, February 12). Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency - Arrowhead

Economic Opportunity Agency. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from
http://www.aeoa.org/head-start/staff/policies-and-procedures
ECLKC. (2014, October 30). Apply for the Program. Early Childhood Learning &
Knowledge Center. Retrieved March 9, 2015, from
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/hs/directories/apply/howdoiapplyfo.htm
ECLKC. (2007-2015). Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance.
Retrieved March 10, 2015, from
http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/standards/pc/i_pc_actual.htm
Head Start Enrollment Application. (2014, March 2). Retrieved March 10, 2015, from
http://hss.sbcounty.gov/psd/enrollmentApplications_pdfs/EarlyHeadStartEnroll
mentApplicationEng.pdf

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HSOLC. (2014, August 1). Policy and Procedure Manual. Head Start of Lane County.
Retrieved March 10, 2015, from
https://www.hsolc.org/policies/administration/initial-application-processageincome-verification
NAEYC. (2015). Head Start | National Association for the Education of Young Children
| NAEYC. Retrieved March 9, 2015, from
http://www.naeyc.org/policy/federal/headstart

5-7 short video clips

3 minutes in a Head Start Classroom. (2014, May 1). Retrieved March 6, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weoneSV3lnU
Every Child Deserves a Head Start. (2013, June 3). Retrieved March 6, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU0CElVX1gM
Family Services, Inc. Head Start. (2010, November 5). Retrieved March 9, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9buZMDpP7E
Hanging in the Balance: A Head Start for Low-Income Kids. (2012, August 29).
Retrieved March 11, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=DuxwXv0bpnk
Head Start Approach to School Readiness HD. (2012, October 24). Retrieved March
6, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6SecdW4GNM

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ECSE 421 FAMILY & COMMUNITY
HIGHER WIDER DEEPER RUBRIC
Proposed Topic: Head Start Preschool
Course Objective/Outcome Link: Resources available to individual and families
at all levels
1. Proposed Research (80%):
a. What are the target concepts/questions to be studied? (You should
have 3-5 listed below)
i. What is Head Start?
ii. How do you get involved in Head Start Programs, Preschool
specifically? Classifications or requirements? Who is it available
to?
iii. What kind of resources are offered through Head Start Programs?
b. Proposed Grading Criteria
i.
2-4 interviews with related professionals/family
members/agencies
ii.
5 peer-reviewed journal articles
iii.
5 official source websites (.org, .edu, etc.)
iv.
5-7 short video clips
2. Proposed Product (80%) (Resource/Reference Folder about Head
Start Preschool Programsparent/family friendly):
c. Proposed Grading Criteria :
i. Proper use of APA in-text citations and references
ii. Organized into sections with the following sub-topics: (What is
Head Start Preschool, Requirements, How to Apply, Resources
Available, Why Preschool.)
iii. Majority of information compiled is current within the last 5 years
iv. All information is presented in an easy to read format for the
intended audience (specify here who the audience is - i.e. parents,
families, children, professionals, college students, community
agencies, etc.)
3. Proposed Lesson (80%) (PowerPoint):
d. Teacher Set Grading Criteria:
v.
Uses a variety of mediums to teach us learned information
vi.
Manages time of presentation, i.e. not too short or too long
vii.
Is professional in appearance
viii.
Is confident with information being presented
ix.
Clearly demonstrates links to course objectives and content
x.
Has a handout that is relevant to the topic, useful enough to
encourage peers to keep them for future reference, and gives
credit to the works of others (this must not be simply
copied/pasted from a website or two - it should summarize the
entire project in one page)

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INTERVIEW #1Special Education Professional
Name: Rebecca Howard
Professional Position: Special Education Teacher in California
Heres what she shared with me about Head Start:
In the Monterey County (CA) Education System, Head Start is primarily filled with
low-income migrant families and Special Needs preschools are provided for children
with diagnosed disabilities.
There is a real need for Head Start because so many low-income families dont
provide the things for young children that they need. Generally, low-income families
dont read to their children or provide the things that children need. Many children,
for example, enter the school system without ever holding a pair of scissors.
It is also important that teachers are well educated in developmentally appropriate
practices, because in States like California and that you are prepared to cater to the
needs of the population you are serving. Especially when considering working in a
Migrant Head Start Setting it is important that educators are bilingual.
Speech and Language services are also available through Local Head Start
Programs.

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INTERVIEW #2Early Childhood Professional
Name: Kaelin Olsen
Professional Position: BYU-Idaho Faculty Member, Early Childhood Education/Child
Development
Heres what she shared with me:
Head Start Programs receive Grants for the government or other organizations and
those organizations determine the philosophy and attitude towards Preschool and
the Early Education System.
Early Head Start and Head Start are actually a really great programs for young
children that is based off of research and best practices, but it depends largely on
the philosophy of the director as to how the program is run.
She also explained in the Utah, Developmental Specialists are included as part of
the Head Start Program, but here in Idaho it is notshowing how programs and
resources can differ slightly depending on State, County, or Organization, but the
same generally principles are adhered to.