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.
New and experienced staff will find professional development tools to help keep children safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
A high-quality, research-based curriculum promotes measurable progress toward children’s development. The content and learning outcomes of the curriculum align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) and state early care and education standards.
Early childhood programs keep children safe when their facilities, materials, and equipment are free of hazards and staff promote safety practices like active supervision. These resources help staff and families reduce the number and severity of childhood injuries. Discover tips for use at home, in cars and buses, on the playground, and in all early childhood settings.
Head Start programs are only as good as their people. Explore resources on this topic to make sure staff members and volunteers have the credentials and competencies needed to provide quality Head Start services.
Young children vary in their skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and abilities. Effective teaching requires individualized care and chances for all children to access, participate, and thrive in early learning settings.
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.
Learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all young children. They include classrooms, play spaces, areas for caregiving routines, and outdoor areas.
Children experience many transitions, including from home to an early care and education setting, between age groups or program settings, and from preschool to kindergarten. Supporting these transitions is critically important..