New Haven Public Schools Announces Openings in Head Start

From New Haven Public Schools:

NEW HAVEN, CT (July 29, 2016) – With more than 300 seats still available for the 2016-17 school year, New Haven Public Schools’ officials are working diligently to ensure families in the district are aware of an opportunity to enroll their young children into pre-k and Head Start Programs by September 1.

The District currently offers two programs -- Head Start and School Readiness -- for young children ages 3 to 4-years-old. Each program caters to all students including those with special needs and offers families an opportunity to help their students prepare for kindergarten.

“Head Start provides children aged 3-4 with a high-quality pre-school experience,” said Claudia McNeil, Program Director for Head Start. “Teaching staff create experience-rich environments where children can explore and interact with a wide range of materials. Through observation and assessment, lessons are individualized to maximize child outcomes. Children leaving Head Start transition prepared to be successful in kindergarten and as life-long learners. Just as children are provided with opportunities for growth and development during their Head Start experience, so are Parents.”

Head Start’s unique approach includes a focus on facilitating family growth and development by assisting families to set goals and connecting families to resources targeted at goal completion. Parents are also encouraged to participate in the planning and governance of the program through Policy Council, a parent Board. All Head Start services are free to qualifying enrolled families.

School Readiness, a State funded pre-k program, works to increase the number of children who have an opportunity to attend a quality pre-k program. New Haven Public Schools’ has several School Readiness sites throughout the district with classrooms in our elementary schools, that are in session 6 hours a day during the school year.

To enroll, parents should visit the Early Childhood Registration Office at 80 Hamilton Street. The registration office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm. To increase enrollment, the District is also offering Saturday hours for registration from 9:00am - 2:00pm. Parents are encouraged to call, 203-946-6950 or 203-9416-8446 for additional information and to schedule an appointment.

What parents should bring:
Proof of Student Age: Long form Birth Certificate
Proof of Address: Utility bill in your own name (gas, electric, phone or cable bill)
Proof of Income: Consecutive Pay stubs from the last four weeks
Medical Information: Student’s Current physical-Yellow Form/must of been within the year and include immunization, anemia, hematocrit and lead test results as well as a TB assessment
Dental Information: Recent dental exam from within the last 6 months.