Head Start Enrollment Begins

Lehigh Valley, PA – Head Start of the Lehigh Valley, operated by Community Services for Children (CSC), began enrolling children for the 2008-09 school year in March. Pregnant women or families with children up to age 2 may be eligible for Early Head Start. Families whose child will be age 3 by late summer may be eligible for Head Start preschool. Income determines eligibility for these free early education programs. Families with incomes up to 100% of poverty ($21,200 for a family of 4, for example) are eligible.

CSC’s Head Start preschool has a variety of options available to meet family needs. These include both home and classroom options. A variety of classroom options are also available including part-day (generally 4 hours) and full-day (generally 6 hours) as well as part-year (September through May) and full-year options. Classrooms are operated in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Slatington, and on the grounds of Lehigh Career and Technical Institute in Schnecksville.

Early Head Start is a year-round educational program serving pregnant women, infants, and toddlers up to age 3 and their families. This home-based program prepares the child for Head Start preschool at age 3.

All Head Start Prenatal to Five program options involve parents in family services, parenting classes, access to community resources, and other activities. Head Start also ensures that children have up to date immunizations and have medical and dental exams.

CSC’s classrooms are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which is recognized as the gold standard in early education, as well as by the Middle States Commission. Very few preschools in the country have this distinction. For information on the programs or to enroll, call 610-432-5700