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Head Start

The first 5 years in a child’s life are essential to their future development, health, and overall happiness at home, school, and in daily life. Head Start strives to make normally expensive early education and care obtainable for any family.

Head Start is a federally funded free child development program which provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition and social services to pre-school children ages 2.9 – 5 years of age from income-eligible families. Head Start offers children nutritious meals, oral health support, and health and development screenings. Parents are the most important influence in their child’s development, Head Start provides many opportunities for parents to become involved in the program, and to improve their own education and employment potential.

Mission Statement: CFC Head Start & Early Head Start’s mission is to foster safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate services to children. We aim to empower families to meet their goals and prepare for self-sufficiency. We strive to mobilize our community to provide the necessary resources ensuring comprehensive, integrated and supportive services.

Philosophy of Education: Head Start promotes the school readiness of children ages of birth to 5 by enhancing their cognitive, social, emotional, physical development. We use an individualized and developmental approach to early childhood education that builds upon the child’s strengths, their needs, and their interests. The children learn through exploration and discovery and through their own experiences to ensure that learning concepts are meaningful to the children.

Program Details:

Eligibility: Children ages 3 to 5 from families who meet income requirements.

Documentation Needed: Proof of income.

Application Process: An appointment must be made with a Head Start intake specialist. During the intake, documentation of income, health concerns, developmental and social concerns, family history, etc. will be collected.

Criteria for Selection: Age and income are considered first; availability of space is also a factor. At least 10% of those enrolled must be children with disabilities and up to 10% may come from families who are over income guidelines. Children from families who are homeless and those receiving public assistance, such as TANF, WIC or SSI and children from foster families are eligible.  

Serving: Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Freetown, Dighton, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Berkley and Lakeville.

Options: Part Day – 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mon – Fri (Sept – June)
Full Day  – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon – Fri
Year Round Extended Day – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Sept – June)
Home Based – Instruction takes place in the home and a “discovery day” at our center with parent and child for socialization once a week.

Fall River Office

Director: Pamela Wildnauer
E-Mail: pwildnauer@cfcinc.org

Address: 427 Robeson Street Fall River, MA 02720
Telephone: (508) 675-2151
Fax: (508) 324-7501

Office Hours:
Mon. – Fri. 7:30 am – 4:00 pm