Early Head Start

The Head Start/Early Head Start program delivers comprehensive high quality services designed to foster healthy development in low-income children. Head Start grantee and delegate agencies provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; and family engagement. Head Start services are responsive and appropriate to each child and family’s development, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage and experience.

All Head Start/Early Head Start programs must adhere to Program Performance Standards. The Head Start Program Performance Standards define the services that Head Start/Early Head Start programs are to provide to the children and families they serve. They constitute the expectations and requirements that Head Start/Early Head Start grantee must meet. They are designed to ensure that the Head Start/Early Head Start goals and objectives are implemented successfully, that the Head Start/Early Head Start philosophy continue to thrive, and that all grantee and delegate agencies maintain the highest possible quality in the provision of Head Start/Early Head Start services.