Welcome to Merced County Head Start!!

Linda Kaercher, Head Start Director

What We Do

The Head Start Program provides a comprehensive child development program to children 0-5 years old from income eligible families and children with exceptional needs to prepare them intellecutally, socially, emotionally, and physically for school and life. Head Start serves preschool aged children and their families. Early Head Start serves infants, toddlers, and a limited number of pregnant women.

Child Development

Every child is provided with the highest quality child development program. For preschool aged children this is based on the Houghton-Mifflin Pre-Kindergarten curriculum. Infant and Toddler services are based on the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Two's. Every enrolled child also receives the following benefits and services:

• complete physical examination and follow-up
• complete dental examination and necessary treatment
• hearing and vision screening
• developmental skills screening and individualized educational program
• supplemental daily nutrition

Health

Head Start embraces a comprehensive vision of the health of children and families. This vision supports wellness by encouraging practices that prevent, identify, treat, and reduce the impact of health problems on Head Start families and children. The health program includes physical, dental, nutritional, and mental health services.

Family Partnerships

Head Start works with parents and a wide variety of agencies to assist parents to build skills, abilities and talents that foster healthy and self-sufficient families. Head Start also establishes ongoing collaborative partnerships with community organizations to make it easier for children and families to access services that are responsive to their needs.

Parent Education

Another important part of the program is parent education. A wide variety of training and educational opportunities are available for parents. Training topics are provided to meet the needs of families and include such subjects as nutrition, first aid, parenting and self-sufficiency skills.

Children with Exceptional Needs

Children with exceptional needs receive a full range of Head Start services in addition to special education through partial and full inclusion models in the most natural setting. To serve preschool age children with more involved special needs a unique and innovative partnership has been formed with the Merced County Office of Education Special Education Department to co-enroll children with disabilities into full inclusion settings staffed by both experienced preschool teachers and special education teachers.

Service Models

Each year more than 1,260 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are enrolled in one of four service options: part-day preschool, full-day programs, home-based services and in partnerships with childcare centers and family day care homes. Up to ten enrollment spaces are available to pregnant women. 

Who We Are

Head Start staff members have expertise in early childhood development, social services, health, parent education, nutrition and other diverse disciplines. In partnership with parents and the community, we facilitate school readiness for children and empower parents. We strive to be leaders in child and family development by delivering the highest quality, comprehensive, seamless services, based on community needs.

For more information call: (209) 381-5170

Updated: 1/29/2010