Head Start

Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged families with infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The program offers a center-based model at five Broward County Public School Locations. It is designed to improve the overall developmental progress of the child, with emphasis on the prevention of a variety of developmental concerns, increase families’ knowledge of parenting practices, and strengthen the family unit. The program’s objectives are accomplished through services that include appropriate infant-toddler activities, comprehensive health care, nutrition, education, and social services for young children and their families.

Each EHS caregiver holds the State or National Child Development Associate with an Infant/Toddler endorsement or an Associates Degree or higher in Early Childhood. EHS offers services from August – July, following the school board calendar. Services extend through the summer using a home-based model. 

Early Head Start is a needs-based program and the district follows federal guidelines for admission into the program. Children with documented disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply.

The Early Head Start program offers:

• Healthy prenatal outcomes
• Research-based curriculum
• State or National Certified Child Development Associates
• Early childhood development
• Ongoing monitoring assessment
• Developmental screenings
• Social services
• Infant mental health services
• Nutrition services
• Services for children with disabilities through CDTC
• Family and community partnership
• Parent involvement
• Male involvement group
• Home-based services are offered to families at home by Parent Educators

Curriculum

The curricula used in the Early Head Start program to teach these skills include:

• Creative Curriculum for Infant, Toddlers, and Twos
• ABC Music and Me

Assessment

Screenings and Assessments used to support the Early Head Start program are:

• BRIGANCE
• Devereux Early Childhood Assessment
• Teaching Strategies GOLD

Funding

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Administration of Children and Families

Head Start Preschool (HSP) is a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged children and families for children three to five years old. Head Start Preschool is a parent-participation program that offers comprehensive preschool services at no cost to eligible families. The program offers a center-based model at 50 Broward County Public School locations. The HSP program is designed to support each child’s individual developmental needs while promoting school readiness through early learning, health, nutrition, and social services. HSP also emphasizes early identification and prevention of developmental concerns, enhances parenting knowledge, and strengthens family engagement to foster overall family well-being.

Head Start Preschool is a needs-based program and the district follows federal guidelines for admission into the program. Children with documented disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply.

The Head Start Preschool program offers:

• Research-based curriculum
• State certified teachers
• Early literacy focus
• Ongoing monitoring assessment
• Developmental screenings
• Field trips
• Social services
• Nutrition services
• Services for children with disabilities
• Family and community partnership
• Parent involvement
• Male involvement group

Curriculum

The Head Start Outcomes and Early Learning Framework and the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-Year-Olds provide the Head Start Preschool teachers with knowledge of what preschool children are expected to know and be able to do in the domains of Language Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts, Social and Emotional Development, Approaches to Learning, and Physical Health and Development. The curricula used in the Head Start Preschool program to teach these skills include:

• The Creative Curriculum System for Preschool
• Skill Streaming in Early Childhood
• Conscious Discipline

Assessment

Screenings and Assessments used to support the Head Start Preschool program are:

• BRIGANCE
• Devereux Early Childhood Assessment
• District-emulated Literacy Assessments for Letters, Sounds, and Concepts of Print
• Phonological Awareness Assessment
• Teaching Strategies GOLD

Funding

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Administration of Children and Families

Education services are provided through daily classroom experiences that help to develop skills that are important for success in kindergarten. Classrooms are organized to provide a variety of opportunities for children to explore, discover, and grow. There are daily routines and schedules to structure the day. Head Start classrooms are communities where children learn how to get along with others, solve problems peacefully and learn the academic skills they need to be successful in school. Children are screened using a variety of developmental screening instruments.

A child with disabilities can often learn more readily in a group with typically developing children rather than in a separate group for children with disabilities. The Head Start department works closely with the Exceptional Student Learning Services Department to provide the Least Restrictive Environment for each child.  Head Start staff members work closely with community agencies to provide services to meet the special needs of all children.

Responsibilities include Program Governance, Policy Council, Parent Committees, Management Systems and Procedures, Human Resource Management, Facilities, Materials, and Equipment. The Program Director works closely with the Policy Council in program design and management.

Mental health and wellness supports are provided to Early Head Start and Head Start Preschool children and families to promote positive social-emotional growth. Parents are provided many opportunities to learn about mental and behavioral health.  

Mental health and wellness support include:

• General classroom observations
• Conscious Discipline
• Parenting workshops
• Consultation with parents, guardians, and staff
• Referrals to community agencies
• Resources provided to families as appropriate

Families are an important part of our work! The School Board of Broward County’s (SBBC) Early Childhood Education department acknowledges that the parent is the most important influence on their child’s development and gears its services to support families in nurturing the development of their children, to enhance their capacity to achieve their own goals and aspirations, and to influence the quality of life in their communities.

Head Start Attendance Policies

As part of the Head Start Performance Standards, attendance is closely monitored for all children. Children must meet guidelines for daily attendance to ensure the full benefits of the educational program. For children not attending on a regular basis and exceeding the number of allowable days of absence, withdrawal from the Head Start Program may be considered, resulting in a vacancy.

Home Visits

The Head Start Performance Standards require two home visits be made by the classroom teacher. In addition, two parent conferences for the year that the child is attending the program are required. Parent educators are also required to schedule a family assessment with parents to provide program information and establish goals that assist families in obtaining services.

Parent Meetings

During the course of the year, Head Start staff will initiate four parent meetings in response to parent surveys reflecting areas of interest. Parent meetings provide information on a variety of topics that include but are not limited to: Health, Safety, Nutrition, Family, and Education. In addition, community representatives and Head Start staff may conduct workshops for parents to gain knowledge and obtain information related to services and agencies in their community.

Family and Community Partnerships

The Family and Community staff work with each family individually to set and reach these goals. This partnership may include:

• Assisting families to connect with community resources
• Training on topics requested by parents including discipline, nutrition, and budgeting
• Connecting families with community services including job fairs, English and GED classes, childcare providers

Family and Community Partnerships focus on parent engagement, including male involvement activities, family support services, case management, transition services, and partnerships with community agencies.

The Health Team is available for any questions, concerns, or needs about your child’s health plan. 

Dental

• Good tooth care can protect your child’s precious smile
• Tooth decay is the most common disease in children in the United States and it can easily be prevented
• By encouraging good tooth-care habits now, you can help your child have healthy teeth for a lifetime

• Parents play a key role in helping their child maintain a healthy mouth

Medical Concerns

• Review of medical history and records to identify concerns
• If your child has medical concern, the parent must complete the BCPS Health Condition Review form AND obtain a doctor's note with a diagnosis of the medical concern or condition 

Nutrition

Your child will receive a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack during the school day.

• All meals served are low in fat, sugar, and sodium (salt) and follow the USDA Meal Pattern guidelines
• Monthly menus are available at each school and a copy of the menu is posted in your child’s classroom
• Nutritional education activities are included in the classroom.
• Parents are not permitted to bring any food, (home-made or store bought), into the classroom (this includes for birthdays and holiday celebrations
  • If your child has any food allergies or requires a medically prescribed diet, restrictions and/or supplements, your child's doctor will need to complete the BCPS Medical Statement

Screenings

As part of the screening process, children in the Head Start classrooms will have screenings within the first 45 days of school

• Height and Weight for each child is measured 
• Hearing & Vision Screenings
• Speech & Language Screenings
  • The screening will look at how the sounds that make up words are formed and the use of words to talk
  • If concerns are found, children are referred to the speech therapist at the school for a closer look

Head Start provides comprehensive educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional services for pregnant moms, children birth to five years old and their families. Children are provided with a variety of age-appropriate early childhood education/learning experiences. They participate in indoor and outdoor play and are encouraged to express their feelings. Meals are served to every child along with a snack when they arrive. Parent involvement is encouraged by parents volunteering in the classroom, attending local parent meetings at each center and making decisions regarding their child’s education. Families are provided with assistance and referrals to various agencies and resources that may be needed.

Early Head Start - Pregnant women and children birth to 2-years-old.

Head Start Preschool - Children must be 3-or 4-years-old on or before September 1st of the current year. 

Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start are early childhood programs primarily servicing low-income families. These programs are FREE for eligible families.  

The Head Start program accepts children with special needs. Children with disabilities, foster care children, and unhoused families who meet all other requirements are encouraged to apply. 

Yes, the family participating in the Head Start program can attend any Broward County Public School that offers the Head Start program and must live within Broward County.

Please note selection for a Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start program at a school does not guarantee placement for Kindergarten at the same school. If your child is selected or offered a seat in a Head Start/Early Head Start class that is not your boundary school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment for your child to attend Kindergarten at the same school. To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.

No, food from home is not necessary or permitted. Broward County Public Schools Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start programs adheres to the USDA nutritional guidelines and portion-size servings. We provide a FREE balanced, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack for your child. 

No, transportation services are not provided. Note: Bus passes may be available through the Broward County Transit Bus Pass Program. Please contact 954-357-8400 for information.

For application information including how to apply for our Broward County Public School Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start programs, please visit the Head Start application page.

You will need to provide proof of guardianship through court documents, adoption papers, temporary custody, relative care, or relevant legal documents stating that the child is temporarily in your care AND complete the notarized Affidavit of Person Acting as Parent form.

After all your documents are uploaded, you need to have an interview to complete your Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start application. If you did not have an interview, please contact our office at 754-321-1961 Option # 4 to obtain interview information.

After all your documents are uploaded and the interview is completed, your Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start application will be sent for processing. After the application is processed, you will receive an email regarding the status of Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start program eligibility after April 30th for applications taken from February - March of that program year. Completed applications taken after March can take up to six weeks to process. If you did not receive an email notification after this time frame and would like to check your application status, please contact our Email our office or call 754-321-1961 Option # 4.

Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start application status emails will be sent to the email address presented at the time of application after April 30th for applications taken from February - March of that program year. Completed applications taken after March may take up to six weeks to process. If you did not receive an email notification after this time frame and would like to check your application status, please Email our office or call 754-321-1961 Option # 4.

Yes, if your child is on the waitlist, you must re-apply each year.

Your child will remain on the waitlist for the remainder of this school year. If your child is not selected for this school year, you must re-apply in February for the next school year.

No, if your child participated in a Head Start program at a school, it does NOT guarantee placement for kindergarten at the same school.

If your child is selected or offered a seat in an Early Head Start or Head Start Preschool program that is not your boundary home school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment in order for your child to attend kindergarten at the same school.

To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.