Head Start Programs

Programs that fit your child’s and your family’s needs.

Part Day/Part Year or Full Day/Part Year Center-Based Program – Head Start

The Head Start preschool program offers an early childhood program for children 3 to 5 years of age whose families qualify for our Head Start services. These Head Start centers generally operate a part day program from 8am to 2pm that includes breakfast and lunch. We also offer a full day program to meet the needs of parents who are working or attending school. These Child Development Centers (CDC) generally operate from 7am to 5pm and include breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack.

Home Base Program – Head Start & Early Head Start

The Home Base program is offered to children 3 to 5 years of age enrolled in the Head Start preschool program and the infants, toddlers, and pregnant women enrolled in the Early Head Start program.

The Home Base program services families throughout Oahu emphasizing the parent’s role as the primary teacher and advocate for their child. The home visitor meets with the child and family in the comfort of their own home for 1 1/2 hours each week. A home visitor encourages good parenting practices, teaches parenting skills, and provides lessons to promote parent-child interactions and learning with age appropriate fun activities. Bi-monthly cluster meetings at various sites with other home base families are planned for group socialization. This is a great way to strengthen parent-child relationships and prepare your child for school.

Inclusion Program – Head Start

The Head Start preschool program believes that all children are entitled to experience and participate actively in natural settings within their communities. This has led to the partnership between the DOE Pre-school Special Education program and Head Start. The Inclusion classrooms are staffed with a DOE Special Education Teacher and Assistant and a Head Start Teacher and Assistant. These team members work together to provide a regular center-based curriculum that is adapted to meet the individual needs and strengths of all the children. All the children and their families benefit from this environment that encourages self-respect, patience and acceptance of others.