HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START
Preparing for Kindergarten
Currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 program year.
What is Early Head Start and Head Start?
Early Head Start and Head Start is a federally funded income based program that is at no cost to families. Any child residing in Allegany County New York is eligible to apply for program. Early Head Start and Head Start emphasizes the importance of the parent as the child's first and foremost teacher. Upon entry into the program children receive vision and hearing screenings, developmental assessments, social-emotional and sensory screenings, as well as a wide variety of family support services. Head Start is not just for children, we are here to build and support stronger families.
What Age children are Eligible for these Programs?
Early Head Start accepts children 6 weeks to 3 years old, while Head Start accepts children 3 years old to 5 years old.
What is the Home-Based Program?
The Home-Based program takes place in our participants home and is for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The home visits are always scheduled at a a time most convenient for your child and family, once per week for 90 minutes. The Head Start Home-Based program is an extension of the Head Start classrooms, into your own home! Home Based-Visitors provide hands on learning experiences to you and your child in your home using a research-based curriculum called, Parents as Teachers. We assist you in connecting your child's development with parenting behaviors so that you have the tools to raise a happy, healthy, confident child. Socialization opportunities are provided to the children and families twice per month.
What is the Center-Based Program? Where are the centers located?
The Early Head Start and Head Start center based program is where children come into our child care center. We have 4 centers located throughout Allegany County - in Bolivar, Cuba, Friendship and Wellsville, New York. Limited transportation is available at most of our locations. Children enrolled in our centers attend program Monday through Friday for 6 hours per day. Breakfast, lunch, and snack are provided to the children while in a nurturing child care setting. A research based curriculum is utilized in all classrooms and is provided by our caring staff. Our center-based locations are licensed day care centers that meet all state and federal licensing requirements.
How Do I Apply?
To schedule an appointment to apply, please call our Enrollment Specialist, Kim Glover at 585-268-7605 ext. 1525 or email us at enroll@accordcorp.org. You can also start the application online by clicking the button below:
How Can Head Start & Early Head Start Help?
Recent research confirms that 90-95% of all brain growth happens in the first 5 years. At birth, your child has billions of neural cells, but very few working connections. Through repeated emotionally safe experiences, your child will build a foundation for the brain’s organizational development and functioning that will support their brain development throughout their lifetime.
Head Start can help! Our program meets your child’s needs through empathy, guidance and love which creates trusting secure relationships that support cognitive, emotional and social development.
Additional Resources:
Please see our center based health care plan below, or our 2024-2025 family handbook for additional information.