headstart.nmsu.eduDoña Ana County Head Start/Early Head Start – College of Education | New Mexico State University

Skip to main content Toggle navigation Menu | Doña Ana County Head Start/Early Head Start – College of Education Search Home Our Program Our Program Organizational Chart Program Description Program Goals 2017 Community Assessment Program Philosophy Mission Statement Our Centers Anthony I Anthony II Anthony III Anthony IV Early Head Start – Anthony Early Head Start Anthony – Home Based Berino Compañeros Lester NMSU Vado Early Head Start – Vado Policies Forms for Staff Administration Forms Supervisory Forms Disabilities Forms Education Forms Health Forms Mental Health Forms Nutrition Forms Outreach Forms Transition Forms Forms For Parents Parent Involvement Forms Administrative Staff Director Buyer Specialist Disabilities/Compliance/Transition Specialist Education Specialist Family Services Specialist Fiscal Specialist Health & Nutrition Specialist Mental Health Specialist Reception/Front Desk Word Processing Specialist Doña Ana County Head Start/Early Head Start – College of Education Welcome! Thanks for 50 years of support! What is Head Start/Early Head Start? Head Start/Early Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income families. The Head Start/Early Head Start program is operated by local non-profit organizations in almost every county in the country. Children who attend Head Start/Early Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They also receive free medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. Head Start/Early Head Start helps all children succeed. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Most children in Head Start/Early Head Start are between the ages of two and five years old. Services are available to infants and toddlers in selected sites. What can the Head Start/Early Head Start program offer your child? Head Start/Early Head Start provides children with activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. The Head Start/Early Head Start staff recognize that, as parents, you are the first and most important teachers of your children. They will welcome your involvement in Head Start/Early Head Start activities, and will work as partners with you to help your child progress. Head Start/Early Head Start staff members offer your child love, acceptance, understanding, and the opportunity to learn and to experience success. Head Start/Early Head Start children socialize with others, solve problems, and have other experiences which help them become self-confident. The children also improve their listening and speaking skills. The children spend time in stimulating settings where they form good habits and enjoy playing with toys and working on tasks with classmates. Your child will leave Head Start/Early Head Start more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning, and ready to succeed. Your Head Start/Early Head Start child will also be examined by skilled professionals for any health problems. Professionals will arrange vision and hearing tests and any needed immunizations. Head Start/Early Head Start offers a nutrition assessment and dental exams as well. Children with health needs receive follow-up care. Mental health and other services are available for children and families with special needs. What would be your child’s routine in a Head Start /Early Head Start program? Most children who enroll in Head Start/Early Head Start attend a half-day center-based program. However, some communities may operate a full day program or provide Head Start/Early Head Start services through a home-based setting. In a home-based program, staff called Home Visitors teach parents how to provide learning experiences for their own children. When the children arrive at the center, they are greeted warmly by their teachers. They put whatever they have brought from home in a place which is their own to use every day. Classroom time includes many different activities. Some teachers begin the day by asking the children to sit in a circle. This encourages the children to talk about an idea or experience they want to share with others. In some centers, the children plan their activities. They may choose among art, playing with blocks or table toys, science activities, dancing to music, looking at books, or pretend housekeeping. Children can switch activities if they prefer another challenge. Each day, they have time to work in a small group with other children and to play outdoors on safe playground equipment. At lunchtime, children receive a nutritious meal and brush their teeth. All the children are taught to wash their hands before meals, and are encouraged to develop good personal and health habits. If they come for an afternoon session, they also receive a healthy snack. What can Head Start/Early Head Start offer your family? Head Start/Early Head Start offers you a sense of belonging, other support services, and a chance to be involved in activities to help your whole family. You can take part in training classes on many subjects, such as child rearing, job training, learning about health and nutrition, and using free resources in your own community. Some parents learn the English language; others learn to read. Head Start also offers assistance to parents interested in obtaining a high school General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or other adult education opportunities. If you have a family member with a special problem, such as drug or alcohol abuse, job loss, or other family crisis, your family can receive help through Head Start. Head Start/Early Head Start staff members refer families needing help to medical, social welfare, or employment specialists they know in the community, and will follow up to be sure you receive assistance. You can become a Head Start/Early Head Start volunteer and learn more about child development. This experience may later qualify you for training which can help you find employment in the child care field. You can also have a voice in the Head Start/Early Head Start program by serving on various committees. Parents’ experiences in Head Start/Early Head Start have raised their own self-confidence and improved their ability to make decisions. Center AM Enrollment PM Enrollment Berino 17 17 Compañeros 17 17 Lester 17 17 NMSU 17 17 Vado 17 17 Anthony I 17 All Day Center Anthony II 17 All Day Center Anthony III 17 All Day Center Anthony IV 17 All Day Center Anthony Early HS 8 All Day Center Vado Early HS 12 All Day Center For Parents Application Aplique a Head Start (en español) Monthly Menus Monthly Newsletter Nutrition Tip Sheet – September Policy Council Parent Calendars Anthony Head Start Calendar 2019-20 Early Head Start Calendar 2019-20 Berino & Vado Head Start Calendars 2019-20 Alegra I, Alegra II, Companeros, Lester & NMSU Calendars 2019-20 School Readiness Goals Questions for Administrative Staff from Parents For Staff Staff Training Calendar/Events August 2019 September 2019 Contact Us: Dona Ana County Head Start 2540 B El Paseo Las Cruces, NM 88001 Phone: (575) 647-8733 Fax: (575) 647-8734 email: donjohns@nmsu.edu Related Links: National Head Start Association http://www.nhsa.org/ © 2016 New Mexico State University - Board of Regents Scroll to Top...