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Head Start is a federally funded child development program designed to provide comprehensive services to preschool children from low-income families.
Located at 1600 Rigsbee Drive, Plano ISD Head Start houses eight (8) developmentally appropriate Head Start classrooms. The program is governed by the Plano Independent School District and the Head Start Policy Council. The federal government provides funding. The District provides cash and in-kind services, including the facility maintenance and utilities. Federal law mandates that 20% of total funding must be received through in-kind donations from the school district and community.
To qualify for the program, families must meet income guidelines established yearly by the federal government. Current funding provides 146 places for children per year. At least 10% of the enrollment opportunities are reserved for children with disabilities. Children must be three years old on or before September 1st of the school year to enroll in the center-based program; however, the Plano ISD Head Start program’s priority is to enroll four-year-olds.
The Plano ISD Head Start program uses the High/Scope approach to implement the PISD Early Childhood Curriculum and the Head Start Child Outcomes. In addition to classroom responsibilities, Head Start education staff must adhere to Federal Performance Standards, which include scheduling at least two home visits and two parent conferences per year.
Head Start began nationwide as a summer program in 1965, with the Plano program opening that same year. The program’s ongoing goal is to be an exemplary Head Start program in Texas as well as nationwide. During the May, 2008 federal triennial review Plano ISD Head Start was awarded a gold certificate for 100% compliance of the federal performance standards.
Children and families in Head Start receive comprehensive services that include health, dental, nutrition, family wellness, education, disabilities, and family services as a part of the federal guidelines. These services are managed by Head Start staff managers who support parents in their independent pursuit of goals and objectives.