About Head Start

The basic underlying philosophy of the Head Start program is that children benefit from quality early childhood experiences and that effective intervention can best be accomplished through high quality comprehensive services to children. Head Start understands that since children live in the context of their families and communities, family services and community involvement are critical elements of a successful program design.

Head Start is guided by three principles:

• Comprehensive Services. Head Start looks at children’s development from a holistic perspective utilizing a comprehensive, inter-disciplinary approach to services that includes education, health - including children’s physical, oral, and mental health and healthy nutrition - social services, and parent involvement. Services are designed to be responsive and appropriate to each child and family's unique developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic experience and heritage.
• Parent Involvement and Family Focus. Head Start is a family-centered program based on a belief that parents are the principal influence on their children's development. Services are designed to foster the parents’ role as children’s primary educators, nurturers, and advocates. At the same time, programs partner with parents to assist them to identify and accomplish their own personal and family goals. Parents are also encouraged to become involved in all aspects of Head Start, including direct involvement in policy and program decisions.
• Community Partnerships and Community-Based Services. Head Start recognizes that children and families live in the context of their communities. Therefore, Head Start programs are intended to be community-based. The differing needs and local interests of the community impact how services are structured. As a result programs have developed different enrollment options based on the needs of families living in specific communities. In addition, Head Start regulations encourage programs to develop partnerships with a variety of community-based organizations. This approach ensures that most programs have access to multiple resources to assist them in providing comprehensive services to children and families.