Early Head Start

  • Early Head Start

    Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged families with infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The program offers a center-based model. It is designed to improve the overall developmental progress of the child, with emphasis on the prevention of a variety of developmental concerns, increase families’ knowledge of parenting practices, and strengthen the family unit. The program’s objectives are accomplished through services that include appropriate infant-toddler activities, comprehensive health care, nutrition, education, and social services for young children and their families. Each EHS caregiver holds the State or National Child Development Associate with an Infant/Toddler endorsement or an Associates Degree or higher in Early Childhood. EHS offers services from August – July, following the school board calendar. Services extend through the summer using a home-based model.

     

Early Head Start Program Components

  • Center-based services offered at five locations

    Center-based Sites

    • Bethune Elementary
    • Charles Drew Family Resource Center
    • Gulfstream Early Learning Center
    • Peters Elementary
    • Westwood Heights Elementary

    Home-based services are offered to families at home by Parent Educators

    The Early Head Start Program offers

    • Healthy prenatal outcomes
    • Research-based curriculum
    • State or National Certified Child Development Associates
    • Early childhood development
    • Ongoing monitoring assessment
    • Developmental screenings
    • Social services
    • Medical and dental services
    • Infant mental health services
    • Nutrition services
    • Services for children with disabilities through CDTC
    • Family and community partnership
    • Parent involvement
    • Male involvement group
    • Guardian support group

     

Curriculum

  • The curricula used in the Early Head Start program to teach these skills include:

    • Creative Curriculum for Infant, Toddlers, and Twos
    • ABC Music and Me

     

Assessment

    • BRIGANCE
    • Devereux Early Childhood Assessment
    • Teaching Strategies GOLD

     

Funding

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Administration of Children and Families

Contact Information

  • Early Childhood Education

    600 SE Third Avenue

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

    Phone: 754-321-1961

    Fax: --

    TTL: --

    Phone: --

    Sharonda Bailey

    Director

Head Start

  • Early Head

    The Early Childhood Education department administers the District’s Head Start (HS) Program, a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantage children and families.

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Voluntary Pre-K

  • VPK

    The Head Start/Early Intervention Department administers the District’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program, a State funded program that offers free instruction to Florida four-year-olds.

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