What is Early Head Start?
Early Head Start is a federally funded program in the United States designed to promote the healthy development of infants and toddlers from low-income families. It serves children from birth to age three, as well as pregnant women, providing comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services.
Key features of Early Head Start include:
Child development services: Age-appropriate learning experiences to foster cognitive, social, and emotional growth
Health and nutrition support: Regular health screenings, immunizations, and nutritious meals
Family engagement: Parenting education and support to strengthen family relationships
Home visits: Personalized support for families in their home environment
Center-based care: High-quality childcare services for working parents
Early Head Start aims to:
Promote school readiness and early learning
Support healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women
Enhance parent-child relationships
Strengthen families’ economic self-sufficiency
Research has shown that Early Head Start can have positive long-term effects on children’s cognitive development, social-emotional skills, and school readiness.