Head Start and Early Head Start overview
Options for Learning’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs support children’s growth from birth to age 5 by providing programs and services that focus on early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Our highly qualified, dedicated staff provide a positive, safe, nurturing environment and are committed to meeting every child's needs. Head Start programs are federally funded and serve children ages birth to 5 and are available at no cost to qualifying families. Head Start preschool serves children ages 3 to 5 and their families. Early Head Start provides care for children ages birth to 3, as well as expectant families.
Our Early Head Start and Head Start programs are offered in our classrooms or in the child’s home with the support of our parent educators.
Children with disabilities are welcome in our programs provided they can be accommodated safely.
Services offered:
- School readiness and learning are fostered through individualized learning experiences. Through relationships with adults, play, and planned and spontaneous instruction, children grow in many aspects of development. The program helps children develop social skills and supports their emotional well-being, along with language and literacy learning, and concept development.
- Health: Each child’s perceptual, motor, and physical development is supported to permit them to fully explore and function in their environment. All children receive health and development screenings, nutritious meals, oral health and mental health support. Families are connected with medical, dental, and mental health services to ensure that children are receiving the services they need.
- Family well-being: Parents and families are supported in achieving their own goals, such as housing stability, continued education, and financial education. Programs support and strengthen parent-child relationships and engage families around children’s learning and development.
Programs
- Full-day, full-year infant and toddler program for ages 0-2;
- Part-day preschool program for 3- and 4-year-old children;
- Home-based programs offered for ages 0-5;
- Expectant women supported (including parent programs offered in collaboration with Cal-SAFE Teen Parent Program);
- Nutritional snacks and meals provided;
- High-quality, comfortable, and safe child development centers with nurturing staff who are qualified in infant and child development;
- Comprehensive program that promotes enhanced physical and emotional well-being and strong cognitive skills in infants and toddlers all while fostering stable family relationships;
- For parents who are working and/or attending college or trade school;
- Children with disabilities are welcomed, provided they can be safely accommodated in the classroom.
Quality
- Comprehensive early childhood education, health, and nutrition services to foster stable family relationships, enhance children’s physical and emotional well-being and to develop strong cognitive skills;
- Extensive parent participation and support services offered.
Locations
Programs available to families residing in Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Claremont, Covina, Diamond Bar, Duarte, Eagle Rock, East La Puente/San Jose Hills, Glendora, Highland Park, Irwindale, La Verne, Monrovia, Pasadena, Rowland Heights, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South El Monte, South Pasadena, San Dimas, San Gabriel, Temple City, Walnut, and West Covina. Please contact our Intake Department at 626-699-8070 to confirm availability.
Curriculum
Options for Learning's Head Start programs use the HighScope curriculum. The curriculum is based on active learning. Active learning involves five elements:
- Materials: Using a variety of interesting materials that are readily accessible to children;
- Manipulatives: Children are free to move, handle, explore and work with the materials;
- Choice: Children have choices in their activities;
- Communication: Children learn to communicate, verbally and non-verbally;
- Support from adults: Adults encourage children's efforts and help them extend their learning experiences to solve problems.
Home-based curriculum
Head Start's home-based program uses the Portage Curriculum, which focuses on the parent and the child as a family system. Parents are encouraged to be the educator of their child. Parents take an active role in the home visit and social gatherings, where they meet other parents in the program.
Head Start's home-based program uses the Portage Curriculum, which focuses on the parent and the child as a family system. Parents are encouraged to be the educator of their child. Parents take an active role in the home visit and social gatherings, where they meet other parents in the program.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the whole family, bolstering their chances for success in school and in life. Our programs:
Early learning and development
- Build strong relationships as the foundational driver for early learning;
- Engage families in their child’s learning and recognizing parents as a child’s first and most influential teacher;
- Implement effective practices to promote children’s growth in five key domains (approaches to learning, social and emotional development, language and literacy, cognition, and physical development);
- Encourage learning through play, creative expression, and guided activities with schedules and lesson plans that include the cultural and language heritage of each child and family in relevant ways;
- Create welcoming learning environments in indoor and outdoor settings that are well-organized and safe;
- Conduct ongoing screenings and assessments to guarantee each child is making progress;
- Collaborate with parents and community agencies when further assessment is needed;
- Support the full inclusion of children with disabilities and build on their strengths.
Health and wellness
- Engage all children in both indoor and outdoor physical activity;
- Serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks that are healthy and nutritious;
- Ensure children receive medical, dental, hearing, vision, and behavioral screening;
- Make sure children brush their teeth after meals; promote oral health and hygiene;
- Help families understand and support their child’s health and behavioral health needs;
- Assist with mental health services for children and families, as needed;
- Build resilience to help children and families heal from traumatic experiences or events and overwhelming situations.
Family well-being
- Offer parenting support and strategies;
- Support parental health and links to community services during pregnancy;
- Connect families to community and federal assistance;
- Help families identify and reach their goals and dreams, including those related to finances and economic mobility, housing, employment, and education;
- Provide a career pathway in early care and education — about 22% of program staff are current or former Head Start parents.
Family engagement
- Invite parents to share information and insights about their child;
- Celebrate the role of fathers and male caregivers through father engagement;
- Engage parents as their child’s lifelong advocate;
- Welcome parents to offer ways to improve children and families’ experiences in the program, including through leadership roles on the Policy Council;
- Support child and family transitions to the next step in Head Start, kindergarten, or another early childhood program.
