Cifc/Hsnfc School Readiness Program

My son was on the wait-list for about 7 months, we were contacted and began at the start of the new 2025 school year. He is in the half-day program: 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Along with supporting early learning, CIFC provide meals, health services, support for children with disabilities and so much more: The Head Start program is an outstanding example of how early childhood education can support both children and their families. What sets Head Start apart is its strong, intentional structure that addresses not just academics, but the whole child and the family as a unit. The program provides a well-organized learning environment where children benefit from consistent routines, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and caring, qualified staff. Hand-washing is integrated into the schedule-at drop off, before and after meals, it is instilled from day 1 and gets the kids in good habits, while also mitigating the spread of germs in a demographic that spreads them so easily. Classrooms are structured to promote social-emotional growth with various centers that appeals to each child, my son LOVES "housekeeping"; early literacy, reading in and out of the classroom as well as giving parents the local library schedule of events; circle time; activities:dancing, getting up and moving, the use of indoor gym on too cold days, arts and crafts or seasonal projects like cutting open a pumpkin too explore the inside of it; and problem-solving skills-there are behavioral specialists on site that are available if and when needed. My son is 3 years old, this is a time of big feelings and knowing that there is this component available to support not only the kids, but also to relieve the teachers if a student happens to need a little extra support on a particular day. The predictable structure has given my child a sense of security while still allowing creativity and exploration to thrive. My favorite, as a parent-is that the classes go outside EVERY SINGLE DAY (unless weather is so cold that it isnt safe). My 3 year old, along with his peers, every morning, practice writing their names, numbers and letters and tracing shapes. It is truly pre-school. He often speaks about 'getting ready for kindergarten'. Parents are given a handout every week with ideas for play and a space to write in the books we've read at home. This "homework" is simple, short and play-based and it reinforces classroom learning. Equally impressive is the level of support Head Start offers to families. The program recognizes that parents and caregivers are a child’s first teachers, and it actively partners with families through open communication, coffee-chats with the director and higher-ups once a month to check in, workshops, and goal-setting opportunities. During the week the school offers a breakfast, lunch and snack prepared in the building, by the school, which is extremely helpful, i am always sure my child is getting healthy options.There is also a weekly food bag that is given to families that request it that contains healthy snacks and quick meals for the weekend. This wraparound approach helps families overcome challenges while empowering them to become strong advocates for their children’s education and well-being. A few times throughout the school year, the school hosts events for all of the families. This year started off with a BBQ that had dinner-face painting, a DJ and lots of fun. Head Start is more than an early education program—it is a supportive community. Its thoughtful structure, combined with comprehensive family support, creates a nurturing foundation that helps children succeed in school and helps families feel valued, informed, and supported. We have been to a few daycares and centers, all of which worked great for what was needed-childcare. But at HeadStart, I am comfortable knowing that it is not just a free-for-all. It is an intentional program with each individual child's future in mind. My only regret is not having started my son in the Early Head Start Program (infant-toddler).

We went with my sister-in-law, and the staff was not very helpful when she asked if there were other schools where she could enroll her daughter, who needs to start preschool. There should be better support and service for families who need guidance and don’t know how to enroll their children or where to go.

My son goes to early head start and I feel that things could be run a lot better. For example, they give the parents a sheet to fill out about how the child is feeling, what they ate last, etcetera and at the bottom of the paper there is a space that says highlights of child's day and it is always left blank. I feel that more effort should be made by the staff at the school.

My daughter was unattended by the afternoon teachers, which they were not the usual afternoon teachers, when I picked her up she was all wet and one of the teachers was complaining about others and parents, I complained the next morning with the head teacher she escalated the issue, the family advocate Laura called me a month later said they would call me back to set up date and time for a meeting, never got that phone call, then like nothing happened they raised my monthly payment to $410 for a public pre k!!!! It's ridiculous and I told the head teacher I might not be able to send my daughter any more, she cried because I know she loves my daughter and then she took me to one of the managers for the past issue, guess what she didn't even know what was about, it seems to me that management at that place only cares for people to pay not for attention to our needs or our kids and they don't even listen to their own teachers

This is a really bad daycare the personal that works there are so rude and even so unprofessional and racist a bad place to place your kids