About Head Start

What is Head Start?

Head Start is a federally funded early childhood education program that provides comprehensive services—including education, health, nutrition, and family support—to low-income children (ages 0-5) and their families.

In the six decades since its founding, Head Start has served nearly 40 million children and their families. Innovators and small business owners, police officers and members of the military, nurses and teachers, and even members of Congress—our alumni represent the vast and varied fabric of our country. From early math and reading skills, to healthy eating habits, to confidence and resilience, Head Start helps children build the skills they need to be successful in school and life. *

There are four pillars in every program.

Education: Leaning on decades of brain science, Head Start works with children to build the brain connections and self-confidence necessary for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Health: Providing dental, health, and mental health services and referrals, as well as healthy eating based on current nutritional best practices, and early identification of health problems, Head Start addresses critical health and nutrition needs so that children are fully ready to learn and grow.
Parent Engagement and Support: Believing that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers, Head Start requires parent involvement in major
Local Design: Acknowledging that each community has different strengths, resources, and challenges, each program is designed to reflect the traditions, priorities, and cultures of their community.*

*Source: National Head Start Association (https://nhsa.org/)

Learn more about the impact of Head Start services in California here.

What Does Head Start California Do?

Head Start California is a 501c3 nonprofit supporting Head Start programs across California. While we don’t directly fund programs or families, our work strengthens and amplifies the impact of Head Start in the following ways:

Advocacy – We fight for policies and funding that support Head Start programs and the children and families they serve.
Professional Development – We provide training for early childhood educators, program managers, and leaders to ensure high-quality services.
Networking & Collaboration – We connect Head Start professionals across the state to share best practices and innovative solutions.

Learn More