Experiences in the first three years become the building blocks for school readiness, the acquisition of language and literacy skills, and the foundation of trusting relationships necessary for a child to gain confidence as a learner.

Early Head Start (EHS) is a year-round program serving families and children prenatally to age three. The program is designed to provide early support to families of infants and toddlers, which will enhance the child’s development through healthy beginnings and the continuity of responsive and caring relationships. The goal of Early Head Start is to foster the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of both parent(s) and child.

Upon enrollment, all children receive a developmental screening with tools that gauge social emotional wellness and developmental milestones. Individual ongoing assessment focuses on six developmental domains; social/emotional wellness, language/ communication, cognitive development, approaches to learning, gross and fine motor development and physical health. Child progress/outcomes are monitored through observations and parental input using the Galileo child outcomes system. Galileo is a web-based assessment system that includes the most current research on how and what children learn. Galileo assists in planning and implementing activities that focus on the child’s interests and challenges their skill levels, encourages problem solving, builds attention span and promotes curiosity. It recognizes that all learning happens in the context of physically and emotionally safe environments and relationships.

Early Head Start utilizes research-based curriculum, which is aligned with best practices in early care and education. The foundation of EHS curriculum includes the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers, HELP at Home, Creative Curriculum for Infants/Toddlers, the Nurturing Program and Partners for a Healthy Baby-Prenatal to 36 months.

Early Head Start center based services are reserved for parents who are working or attending school full time. Children receive early care and education in an environment that is intentionally planned, based on the goals/educational outcomes of the individual, yet flexible to follow the lead of each child. The program provides home based services for stay at home parents, parents who work part time or expectant parents. Prenatal services focus on providing information on fetal development, nutrition, labor and delivery, breast-feeding and postnatal care. Early Head Start has a collaborative agreement with Devils Lake Public Schools to provide support to expectant parents/teen parents.

Early Head Start builds partnerships with families to share information, set goals for the child and increase the parent’s knowledge of child development. In addition to classroom/home-based services, the program provides parent education/meetings, home visits, parent-teacher conferences, Early Explorers Playgroups, 100-book challenge and other activities that focus on the importance of the child/parent relationship.

Powerpoints:
Child Development & Disability Services in Early Head Start (PDF)