Our Head Start centers provide low-income children ages 3 to 5 with a safe, stimulating environment that encourages cognitive, social, and emotional development. We emphasize hands-on, play-based learning that teaches children academic concepts in ways that make sense to them and get them excited about school. We also support parents as primary caregivers so they can encourage their children’s development on their own.

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All of our sites serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. We instill healthy habits both by teaching about them in the classroom in hands-on activities — such as growing vegetables — and by offering food that’s cooked on the premises and exceeds nutritional requirements. We also support children’s physical health through a unique collaboration with Northwell Health, New York’s largest health care provider, and by offering in-person and virtual pediatric care through a partnership with Strong Children Wellness; and we offer mental health services through The Child Center’s 0-5 Perinatal + Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative. In addition, our educators have special training in teaching dual-language learners.

 

Centers in Corona and Manhattan operate Monday-Friday, full-day and year-round. We accept children through a variety of funding sources, including the NYC Department of Education, which encompasses Head Start and is supplemented with 3-K and Pre-K for All for All. Please see our latest Head Start annual report for more information about our Head Start programs. All of our Head Start programs are free for eligible children.