Clay County Head Start

HEAD START PHILOSOPHY
Children enter the world eager to learn.  The C.A.R.S. Head Start programs help build on this trait.  Each child is an individual with unique talents, skills, and needs.  Head Start respects each child’s individuality and honors his/her cultural, ethnic, and family heritage.  C.A.R.S. child-centered curriculum focuses on interests, learning styles, and developmental needs of each child and helps each child to develop self esteem, self-help skills, and socialization skills.

WHAT IS HEAD START?
Head Start is a federally funded program that recognized parents and/or guardians as the child’s most important teacher.  Income will be used to determine priority for services in the comprehensive child and family development programs.

Transportation is provided whenever possible.  Children are encouraged to participate in a variety of learning activities to help them develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.  Families have access to programs and services to help them achieve their individual and family goals.

There are many community resources available to assist families in achieving self-sufficiency.  Head Start staff will guide families to appropriate community resources.