Head Start is an educational program to help prepare children for transition into kindergarten and provides health screenings and nutrients. Transportation is available at most locations. Early Head Start is specific to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers. Offers home-based options with a weekly visit from a teacher in the family's home along with two special days a month for activities with other families.

Provides year-round learning for children ages 0-3. Educare provides year-round learning for children ages 0-5.

Offers an Early Head Start for children ages 3 and under. Parents are taught the stages of a child's development and activities they can do with their child to nurture her or his development.

Preschool programs for 3 and 4 year old's.

Provides a full service early childhood education center.

Provides children an opportunity for social and emotional growth, as well as a beginning adjustment to a more formal school experience. Part time and half day sessions are available.

Offers an Early Head Start for children ages 3 and under. Parents are taught the stages of a child's development and activities they can do with their child to nurture her or his development.

Offers child care, preschool, before/after school, school days out, and summer programs, as well as Early Head Start.

All children six weeks to 12 years old are eligible, depending on space available; financial assistance is available to those who qualify through. Language support is available for those whose first language is not English.

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to age five, pregnant women and their families. The programs are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.

Both programs provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education, medical, dental and mental health, nutrition and social service to children and their families. Parent involvement is encouraged and support is offered for children with disabilities.

Local school contacts in Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie and Sac Counties are listed below:

-- Audubon, Carroll, Coon Rapids: (712) 830-9442

-- Adel, Waukee: (515) 987-7428 or (712) 830-1327

-- Guthrie Center, Jefferson, Panora: (712) 830-6990

-- Rockwell City, Lytton, Sac City, Schaller, Crestland, Southern Cal: (712) 830-1326

-- Perry: (515) 238-2194

Head Start is a federally-funded program that serves children from ages three to five and pregnant women, offering a school readiness program in addition to comprehensive services to children and their families who meet income guidelines.

Provides child care services that include infant/toddler care, preschool education, before and after school programs, foster child care, and protective child care services. Collaborates with Kankakee District #111 to provide Head Start programming to eligible children and their families.

Part-time half day sessions focused on nurturing children's social, emotional, physical and intellectual development through play and group activities.

Hickory Knolls Preschool focuses on exploring natural world.

Pottawatomie Preschool offers structured classroom setting rich in educational materials and a Summer Preschool Program offering preparation for fall preschool or kindergarten.

Head Start in 12 communities for children ages 3-4 whose families meet income eligibility. 10% of enrolled children can be over income.

Early Head Start is offered to income eligible pregnant women, infants, toddlers to age 3 and their family members in 11 communities. Health, parenting skills, nutrition education, and home safety checks are also provided to participants. Center based care is provided in Columbus and Schuyler.

Early childhood partnerships with 9 area public schools. Offers morning and afternoon center-based sessions for income eligible children ages 3-4 and their families.

Provides a comprehensive child development programs which serve children from birth to age five and ages 3-4 years. The programs are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. Program provides a range of individualized services in the area of education, medical, dental and mental health, nutrition and social service to children and their families.

Morning and Afternoon classes are offered. Half days are 3 1/2 hours a day and full days are 6 1/2 hours a day. Classes provided 4 days a week with no school on Wednesdays. NO before or after school child care is provided.

Early Head Start ensures that children (0-3 years of age) and their families receive the academic, social, mental, health, and nutritional education they need.

Head Start prepares children for Kindergarten and beyond. Also meets the nutritional, health, social and mental health needs of children and their families.

Provides a full service early childhood education center.

Child development program for preschool children, 3-5 years, which stresses parent involvement, education, social services, and health.

Locations in Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Seward, Thayer, and York Counties.