Head Start Is More Than Preschool

 By Amyee Carson, Director of Whole Family Services, and Stephanie VanderElzen, Director of Head Start
Mid Michigan Community Action

Back-to-school season often brings to mind backpacks, classrooms, new teachers, and children preparing for another year of learning. For families with young children, however, preparing for school begins long before kindergarten.

Head Start has understood that for decades.

At Mid Michigan Community Action, Head Start includes both Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start. Head Start Preschool provides early education for children ages 3-5 in Clare and Gladwin Counties, while Early Head Start begins even earlier, supporting families during pregnancy and through a child’s first three years in Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, and Osceola Counties.

Head Start is about more than a child’s time in a classroom.

Children learn and grow within families. What happens at home, the resources available to a family, a caregiver’s goals, a child’s development, and the relationships surrounding a child all play a role in helping that child thrive.

That is why Head Start works with the whole family.

For children, that can mean learning through play, building relationships, developing communication and social skills, and preparing for the transition to kindergarten.

For parents and caregivers, it can mean having someone to turn to with questions about their child’s development, setting goals for their family, connecting with resources, becoming involved in their child’s education, and receiving support as their child’s first and most important teacher.

Sometimes the support a family needs has little to do with what is happening in a classroom. A family may be continuing their education, working toward greater financial stability, looking for community resources, or navigating a change at home. Having a trusted team beside them can make a difference.

This whole-family approach recognizes something simple but important: helping young children succeed means supporting the families raising them.

And while the beginning of a new school year is a natural time to think about preschool, it is not the only time families can reach out. Head Start Preschool continues enrolling throughout the school year as space is available. Children can also become eligible when they turn 3 or 4 during the year. A child who isn't old enough for Head Start Preschool when school begins may become eligible later.

School readiness does not suddenly begin when a child starts preschool, either. The foundations are being built from the very beginning, in a baby’s first relationships, a toddler’s exploration of the world, a preschooler’s growing independence, and the support surrounding their family throughout those years.

That is the larger promise of Head Start.

It is early education. It is family support. It is preparation for kindergarten. And through Early Head Start, that work can begin before a child is even born.

Families interested in Early Head Start can visit https://www.mmcaa.org/earlyheadstart.html or call or text 1-877-386-4406.

Families interested in Head Start Preschool can visit https://www.mmcaa.org/preschoolheadstart.html or call 989-386-8075. If your child isn't eligible yet, you can still contact our team to find out when they may become eligible.

Amyee Carson is the Director of Whole Family Services at Mid Michigan Community Action. Stephanie VanderElzen is the Director of Head Start at Mid Michigan Community Action. Mid Michigan Community Action provides Head Start Preschool in Clare and Gladwin Counties and Early Head Start in Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, and Osceola Counties.

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.