Head start and other preschool programs are not necessarily a part of the broader American education, yet. The first program of this type, Head Start, was initiated in 1965 by Jule Sugarman and was a summer school program for underprivileged children. The idea was to get poor children ready for kindergarten. What they found was that six weeks of preschool could make up for five years of poverty.

History

Lyndon B. Johnson was determined to address the issues of poverty in the United States. As a continuation of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, Johnson signed new legislation unofficially known as the War on Poverty. One part of this legislation resulted in the Head Start program. The job of oversight was handed off to the Department of Health and Human Services and funding from Head Start goes to fund many different early childhood programs.

Programs

• Early Headstart
• ABC program
• Migrant and Seasonal Worker programs
• Community and Family partnerships
• Head Start
• Many more

Requirements

Head Start and other early childhood programs have several requirements, the first being income. A family must fall within the guidelines to be eligible for free preschool education. These follow the federal poverty income guidelines, for example, a family of four must have an income at or below $22,350 annually or $1862 per month. These income levels are generally adjusted yearly.

Age requirements also apply to eligibility for head start programs. For example, a child must be at least three years but under five to qualify for regular head start and at least 18 months old but under three to qualify for early head start programs. These guidelines are subject to change based on the particular program you are applying for. Classroom management software is what many teachers have turned to to help them get a grasp on managing their classrooms.

Program Basics

Head start programs seek to provide children with a safe, nurturing environment that promotes learning. In addition to preparing them for kindergarten by teaching colors, shapes, ABC’s and 123′s head start also addresses health and wellness issues. Physical, social, cognitive and emotional health are all addressed through these programs.

Benefits

There is some debate on the effectiveness and benefits of head start programs. Research has shown marked improvement in cognitive ability, reduction in grade repetition and avoid special education tracks. Unfortunately, many of these gains are negligible by the third grade. Of course, there is also the improved socialization, nutrition and preparedness for kindergarten to consider. Preschool is not compulsory; therefore, each parent should evaluate the pros and cons of the programs themselves.

Conclusion

Preschool in America is available as both private education and publicly funded programs. Many children benefit from early social interaction and are better prepared for later school interactions. If you have a young child and are considering preschool, research the options available in your location.

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