Early Head Start
Early Head Start was based on Head Start’s extensive history of providing its services to low-income families. Its goals is to promote developmentally appropriate intellectual, emotional and social activities for children, ages six weeks to three years old. Settings for the care of children are supportive of individualization and responsive care. Nurturing and well-trained caregivers support the infants and toddlers in daily routines, such as eating, sleeping, diapering/toileting and dressing. Each classroom setting is staffed with caregivers responsible for 4 infants/toddlers each. The staff provide an environment that is developmentally appropriate, safe and full of opportunity to learn.
Details about admissions to Hillsborough County’s Early Head Start Program can be found by clicking on the admissions tab. Early Head Start services are provided at select Head Start sites as well as in Family Child Care Homes.
The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Two’s is used for planning and implementing classroom routines and activities based on the children’s ages and stages of development: physical, cognitive, language, social/emotional. The curriculum is implemented with parents for infants and toddlers to foster brain development, child development, and individualization that builds a trusting relationship with each child and family, provides nurturing, responsive, individualized care and teaching, creates appropriate environments that support and encourage exploration and discovery, ensures children’s safety, health and nutrition and helps children understand and use language.
Expectant Parent Program
The Early Head Start Services to Expectant Parents provides home visits and support to expectant families. The program’s goal is to provide the optimal opportunity for healthy pregnancies, a positive birth outcome and supportive postpartum care. A healthy pregnancy has direct influence on the health and development of a newborn child. This project, which serves pregnant mothers, provides services in the home, in community-based settings and through referrals to community partners. The program strives to have the greatest impact on participating children by offering supportive services as early in life as possible.
Details about admissions to Hillsborough County’s Expectant Parents Program can be found by clicking on the admissions tab. Expectant Parent services are provided in community based settings. |
