Van
Buren County Head Start
Provides
pre-school aged children (3-5) of low-income families in
Van Buren County a variety of preparatory activities
for entry into public schools. Funded
by the U.S. Department of Education Administration for Children & Families.
Serves Van Buren County.
 Major
Components of Head Start
Head
Start provides diverse services to meet the goals of the
following four components:
- Education
- Head Starts's educational program is designed to meet
the needs of each child, the community served, and
its ethnic and cultural characteristics. Every child receives
a variety of learning experiences to foster intellectual,
social, and emotional growth.Van Buren Head Start
- Health - Head start emphasizes the importance of the early
identification of health problems. Every child is involved
in a comprehensive health program, which includes immunizations,
medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional services.
- Parent Involvement - An essential part of Head Start is
the involvement of parents in parent education, program planning,
and operating activities. Many parents serve as members of
policy councils and committees and have a voice in administrative
and managerial decisions. Participation in classes and workshops
on child development and staff visits to the home, allow
parents to learn about the needs of their children and about
educational activities that can take place at home.
- Social Services - Specific services
are geared to each family after its needs are determined.
They include: community
outreach, referrals, family need assessments, recruitment
and enrollment of children, and emergency assistance and/or
crisis intervention.
The cornerstone of the program is
parent and community involvement - which has made it
one of the
most successful
pre-school programs in the country.
 The Role of Volunteers and
Community Organizations
Van Buren Head Start Volunteers are an important part of
all Head Start programs. High school and college students,
homemakers, parents of Head Start children, retired senior
citizens -- all kinds of people -- have offered critical
help to local Head Start programs. Volunteers assist with:
indoor creative play, transportation, parent education, renovation
of centers, and recruiting and instructing other volunteers.
What
is Head Start?
 Head
Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income
families. The Head Start program us operated by
local non-profit organizations in almost every county in
the country. Children who attend 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 helps all children succeed.
Services are offered to meet the special needs of children
with disabilities.
Most children in Head Start are between the ages of three
and five years old. Services are also available to infants
and toddlers in selected sites.
Benefits
of Head Start
 Head Start provides children with activities that help them
grow mentally, socially, emotionally and physically. The
Head Start staff recognize that parents are the first and
most important teachers of your children. They will welcome
your involvement in Head Start activities, and will work
as partners with you to help your child progress. Head Start
staff members offer your child love, acceptance, understanding,
and the opportunity to learn and to experience success. Head
Start children socialize with others, solve problems, and
have other experiences which can help them become self-confident.
The children also improve their listening and speaking skills.  The children spend time in stimulating
settings where they from good habits and enjoy playing with
toys and working
on tasks with classmates. Your child will leave Head Start
more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning, and
ready to succeed. Your Head Start child will also be examined
by skilled professionals for any health problems. Professionals
will arrange vision and hearing test. Nutrition activities
and dental exams are also offered as well. A mental health
professional is available for children and families with
special needs.
 Routines
at Head Start
Most children who enroll in Head Start attend a half-day
center-based program. However, some communities may operate
full day programs or provide 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. Some center-based program offer children
bus rides to and from home.
Education
The most important goal of out early
childhood curriculum is to help children become enthusiastic
learners. This means
encouraging children to be active, creative explorers who
are not afraid to try out their ideas and think their own
thoughts. Out goal is to help children become independent,
self-confident, inquisitive learners.
UCHRA-Van Buren County Head Start
24038 State Route 30
Spencer, Tennessee 38585 Phone:
(423) 881-5182
Fax: (423) 881-5292
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