Head Start and the benefits of Preschool

Today was my daughters last day of her second year of preschool so i thought i would reflect on the positive impact it has had, not only on her, but the rest of my family as well. Head Start isnt just a preschool. Each family is assigned a Family Service Coordinator who has regular in-home meetings to discuss goals and successes. They are there to help, even if its just an understanding and compassionate shoulder to cry on. This was a very difficult year for me with the new baby, loss of my job and loss of my boyfriend as well. I was in a very dark place at the beginning of the school year and i am so great full to of had such an amazing coordinator to help me through it all.

The benefits that my daughter has received this year have been amazing. Not only does school give her time out of the house, but she gets the chance to meet new friends out of our normal family social circle. It also prepares her for the social settings for kindergarten and up. In her 2 years of school she has learned the entire alphabet, numbers up to 100, all colors and shapes, How to read, spell and write her name, how to wait her turn in circle time, how to make up stories and the list goes on and on. Teaching her all these skills at home would have taken a much, much longer time. Kacie thrives in a classroom setting and im so happy she has these services available to her.

I was outraged when Newton Mayor Setti Warren mentioned that Senator Scott Brown voted in support for a bill that would have eliminated Head Start services for more than 3,000 Massachusetts children.

This program needs to remain in place because all children deserve a head start on their education regardless of their family's income.
Research on the benefits of Head Start
Head Start main website