Early Head Start
Becoming new parents or having a new child can be scary, but with the help of Early Head Start you can receive the essential support your family needs to navigate the experience with peace of mind.
Early Head Start is a free home-based child development program which provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition and social services to expectant couples and families with infants and toddlers. The overall goal of Early Head Start is to increase pre-school readiness for children and self-sufficiency for parents. Early Head Start offers nutritious meals during weekly socialization days, oral health support and health and development screenings. Early Head Start is a two-generation program which includes intensive services that begin before the child is born and concentrate on enhancing the child’s development by supporting the family during the critical first three years of life.
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: Infants and toddlers to age 3, and pregnant mothers.
Documentation Needed: Proof of income and a copy of the Child’s most recent physical exam, dental exam, and immunization records.
Application Process: An appointment must be made with the Early 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. Income guidelines can be found here. 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: A home-based model and center-based model are both available to eligible families. With Home Based, home visits during the week and one “Discovery Day” for socialization per week, for infants, toddlers and their parents. Center-based care is provided at the Highland and Maple Birth to Five Centers M -> F Aug -> June 8:15a -> 2:45. This is also available to working parents year-round 8a -> 4p. Families can also explore full day, full year Family Child Care options as well. Please speak with our team for more information.
Fall River Office
Director: Pamela Wildnauer
E-Mail: pwildnauer@cfcinc.org
Address: 571 Second Street Fall River, MA 02721
Telephone: (508) 678-2961
Fax: (508) 324-7501
Office Hours:
Mon. – Fri. 8:00 am – 4:00 pm