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SCS Head Start is a NAEYC (National
Association for the Education of Young Children)
accredited preschool program for children; it is also a
family development opportunity for parents and
caregivers. Our seven Head Start centers are
conveniently located throughout Cheshire and Sullivan
counties. Our main office is located at Southwestern
Community Services in Keene.
Head Start is a free, income-based program. Please check
out the current
eligibility guidelines
to see if your family qualifies. Families who wish to
apply may contact us for more
details.
To schedule an interview, please fill out the attached
mini
application.
Ella Weber, Family Services & Community Partnership
Manager
Southwestern Community Services
63 Community Way
PO Box 603, Keene, NH 03431
Keene: 603.352.7512 ext. 4160
Claremont: 603.542.9528 ext. 4160
Toll Free: 800.529.0005
Fax: 603.352.3618
Email:
eweber@scshelps.org
Our colorful
brochure
includes additional information about the SCS Head Start
program.
Our Mission
Head Start provides a supportive and consistent
preschool educational environment for children and
families through open communication, exceptional
resources, and positive role modeling to help children
and adults become successful and self-sufficient.
For more information regarding SCS Head Start, please
see the Southwestern Community Services, Inc. Head Start
Annual Report 2011-2012.
Confidentiality
The SCS Head Start Program respects the privacy of each
Head Start participant and complies with the federal
regulations on confidentiality of information. All
information held by the program, whether gathered
formally or informally, is private and protected. This
includes medical history, family status, financial
information, and other personal data. A printed copy of
our Head Start confidentiality policy is available for
families and staff at each Head Start Center and at the
main office.
Parent and Community Involvement
Parent and community volunteers are urged to join in the
program as helpers in the classroom, in the kitchen, at
the office, on field trips, and during many other Head
Start activities. Volunteers are encouraged to keep a
regular schedule. The children get used to seeing
volunteers every Wednesday from 9:00 -10:00 for instance, and
look forward to each visit. We do not want to let them
down.
Program Performance Standards
The Head Start Program of SCS follows Head Start Program
Performance Standards, which explain the objectives and
basic standards needed to meet our goals. All staff
members are expected to be familiar with the Performance
Standards and use them as a guide during the course of
the year. Volunteers and parents are invited to become
familiar with them. The Head Start Handbook contains the
basic policies and procedures for all Centers. Safety
and emergency procedures are covered in the Head Start
safety brochure.
Meals
We serve a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day at
Head Start. Breakfast time is at 9:00 A.M. and Lunch is
at noon. Menus are distributed to parents monthly
through our SCS Head Start
newsletter. We eat our meals
family style, with children and adults seated together
to serve themselves, eat, and socialize.
Male Involvement in Head Start
Head Start is committed to having positive male
involvement in the program. Among the ways young
children benefit from this type of experience are role
development (being comfortable with males or females)
social adjustment (getting along with other people), and
cognitive development (thinking).
SCS Head Start Curriculum
SCS Head Start Curriculum is based on two key elements,
Head Start Program Performance Standards and Best
Practices as described by NAEYC. These are essential for
a positive and effective program. All curriculum is
grounded on sound child development principles
pertaining to how children grow and learn. |
