Exploring Head Start Policy
Head Start agencies that provide services to children and families must meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the requirements set forth in the Head Start Act of 2007.
Head Start agencies that provide services to children and families must meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the requirements set forth in the Head Start Act of 2007.
Find resources to help early childhood programs serve pregnant women and expectant families.
Head Start programs are committed to recognizing and respecting the culture and language of the children and their families. Programs emphasize the strengths of each children’s individual culture and language and holding high expectations for all.
Head Start programs support the mental health of children, families, and staff every day. Early childhood mental health is the same as social and emotional well-being.
Family well-being means all family members are safe, healthy, and have chances for educational advancement and economic mobility. When families face challenges, their health and wellness can be negatively impacted.
Effective, nurturing, and responsive teaching practices and interactions are key for all learning in early childhood settings. They foster trust and emotional security, offer rich communication and language learning, and promote critical thinking and problem-solving.
New and experienced staff will find professional development tools to help keep children safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which early childhood professionals, families, and children build positive and goal-oriented relationships.
Eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) tasks are some of the most important work performed by Head Start programs.
A program’s physical environment supports the quality and quantity of the services it provides. Browse facilities resources that help programs create environments that are conducive to learning.