Head Start is a federal government program designed to give preschool children from low-income families a “head start” on their readiness for elementary school. 

Head Start supports parents and families in their vital roles as the primary influencers on their young children’s education and development by helping them sharpen their parenting skills and navigate the school system. This comprehensive, top-quality preschool education also provides health and nutrition education to its students and their families. 

The goal of Early Head Start is to expand on the Head Start program and provide child development and family support services to low-income pregnant women, infants, toddlers and their families. FSW’s Early Head Start’s in-home program focuses on the mother’s health during pregnancy and the health of her newborn during the first 12 months of life. 

When Early Head Start children reach their first birthdays, they join a center-based program, which continues to build each child’s cognitive and language skills, social and social and emotional development, and physical and mental health.