Home Divisions Head Start Services

Early childhood is a critical time for children to develop the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive skills they will need to be successful in school and the rest of their lives.

The Champaign County Head Start program is based on the premise that all children share certain needs and that children from low-income families, in particular, can benefit from a high-quality program to meet those needs. Champaign County Head Start is a comprehensive child-centered, family-oriented, and community-based program with the mission to:

• Assist children in achieving their optimal developmental capabilities
• Support parents and families in achieving their goals
• Partner with other community agencies in serving children and families

We strive to foster each child’s competence by supporting and nurturing the child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Families are also supported through parental involvement, education, health, nutrition, disabilities, mental health, and social services.

Champaign County Head Start’s philosophy is based on these guiding principles:

• A child can benefit most from a quality comprehensive, interdisciplinary program to foster optimum development.
• The well-being of children is inextricably linked to the well-being of the entire family.
• Parents are the primary educators of their children and as such, must be involved with their children’s education including involvement with the Head Start program.
• Partnerships with other agencies and organizations in the community are essential to meeting family needs.