Congratulations to Head Start staff who graduated with college degrees this year!

Here at Community Action Partnership of Kern, we believe and support that parents are the most important people in their child’s world: parents are their child’s first and primary educator. Research shows that the most effective early childhood programs are those that involve parents in meaningful ways. We support that children’s learning is enhanced as a joint effort between teachers and parents.

The staff at Community Action are dedicated, qualified, and committed to delivering creative and innovative experiences to respond to the individual needs and interests of the children they teach. The primary goal of our teachers is to help children use the environment productively and see themselves as capable learners; as individuals who are developing the skills and understanding that will enable them to make sense of the world, and to succeed in it.

We design our classrooms to use a Creative Curriculum philosophy. Creative Curriculum focuses on interest areas that support children’s learning and the teacher’s role in each child’s development. As a visitor, you would see children and teachers involved in so many different activities that you might wonder if children are actually learning. A casual observer might think, “All they do is play”, yet it is through their play and teacher interactions that children are learning what they need to know to succeed academically. If children are to be successful learners now and in the future, we have to teach them to think for themselves; to solve problems while getting along with others. Children acquire these abilities as they are encouraged to explore their environment actively, to solve real problems that have meaning for them, and work cooperatively with others to complete tasks. This is precisely what children are doing when they are “playing”.

During your experience with Head Start, we will work with you to observe and understand your child’s individual development, as well as to recognize how bonds of trust and friendships develop in the routines of daily life as your child’s foundation for confidence and lifelong learning.

What is Head Start?

Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children (ages three to five) from low-income families. Head Start is available in both center-based and home-based options. The Head Start program is operated by local non-profit organizations in almost every county in the country. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They also receive access to free medical and dental care, are provided healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting.

Head Start helps all children succeed. Services for children focus on education, socio-emotional development, physical and mental health, and nutrition. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Most children in Head Start are between the ages of three and five years old. Services are also available to infants and toddlers at selected sites and in the Home-based option.
Child Education & Development Services (CEDS)

Early Head Start Program Options

• Early Head Start Services are delivered at various early learning centers located throughout Kern County. Services are delivered full-day, year-round in order to assure continuous, consistent services to families. Early Head Start Educators and Child Care Teachers at the sites are the primary providers of services.
• The Home-based service delivery option is available to income eligible families who are expecting a child and/or have children ages birth to three. Home-based staff meet weekly with families in their homes to promote positive family health and development. In addition, families attend socialization activities twice each month.

Home-based Program Option

• The Home-based philosophy is based on the belief that success begins in the home setting. By enhancing family successes, the Home-based option provides for broader learning experiences.
• This service delivery option is available to children and families enrolled in both Head Start and Early Head Start. Children and families receive weekly home visits with a home-based educator who provides comprehensive services in the family’s home. Children and families in this program also get together two times per month for a socialization gathering.

More Info

• Contact Head Start
• Staff
• News
• Eligibility & Application
• Additional Services
• Family Involvement
• Fatherhood Program
• Head Start Facts
• Parent Handbook
• Links