Write a commentHead Start is a preschool program provided at no cost to families. Created in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson as an eight-week summer program for children of low-income families, Head Start has undergone many changes over the years.
It operates for 10 months and includes comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to children and their families.
Head Start is the longest running national school-readiness program in the United States. In the 47 years since Head Start began, more than 25 million children aged 3 through 5 have participated in the program. In all, there are more than 1,600 different Head Start programs across the country. These programs are responsible for operating more than 48,000 classrooms in every state and practically every county in the country. Since 1999, more than 5,400 children have been students of Head Start Preschool in Oswego County.
On average, children that have attended Head Start rank higher in language, literacy, social conduct, and physical development than their non-Head Start peers. Head Start children are also significantly more likely to complete high school and attend college than those who did not participate in the program.
In Oswego County, each Head Start center has a team of staff who partner with families to assist children in being prepared for kindergarten. Each classroom has a teacher, teaching assistant, and classroom aide who provide children with opportunities to engage in many different types of educational and social activities to prepare them for a lifetime of learning. Family Advocates work closely with parents providing resources, support, and helping meet goals set by the families.
Oswego County Head Start Preschool has centers throughout Oswego County, enrolling children from all nine school districts. Head Start is still accepting applications for enrollment. For more information about the Head Start Pre-K program please call 598-4711 or 800-359-1171.
Oswego County Opportunities, Inc operates the Head Start program. OCO is a non-profit agency that has been supporting communities throughout Oswego County since 1966. www.oco.org. OCO is a United Way of Greater Oswego County member agency.
