Holyoke Chicopee Springfield HEAD START – Educating Children | Supporting Families

Holyoke • Chicopee• Springfield Head Start is a multi-service agency, providing comprehensive programs, services and support to local communities, families and children. We provide early childhood education, to prepare preschool children for kindergarten, and for life.

We offer traditional part-day early childhood programs at no cost to eligible families. In addition, HCS Head Start offers a full day option for eligible parents working or enrolled at school full time. Fees for the full day option range from sliding scale to full tuition.

We provide family and parent support, and opportunities for families to engage in a child’s education and in the HCS Head Start community. We also provide family and parent programs including cooking, money management, parenting classes, a healthy relationships program, and more.

Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has improved the lives of more than 32 million children and their families.

Find out more about our programs

Start Your Career at Head Start!

HCS Head Start offers generous benefits in a great working environment, with plenty of support for career advancement.

Birthday off with pay
13 paid holidays
Paid vacation, sick and personal days
Full time benefits at 30 hours a week
Retirement: agency 3% match
First aid and CPR recertification in-house, no cost to employees
Embedded professional development
Career-growth coaching & support
In-house comprehensive support team

See Our Employment Opportunities

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Facebook Posts

Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Inc.

18 hours ago

Big news for our HCS Head Start community!We’re proud to share that our CEO, Nicole Blais, has been named the 2026 Leader of the Year by the Massachusetts Head Start Association (MSHA). Nicole’s journey is what Head Start is all about. From being a Head Start child to leading our organization today, her story reflects the lasting impact of this work and the power of investing in children and families. For more than 30 years, Nicole has shown up with dedication, heart, and a deep commitment to our mission. Her leadership continues to shape the experiences of our staff, our families, and the communities we serve every day.Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition. We’re incredibly proud to have Nicole leading the way.Pictured (left to right): Flossy Calderon, Vice Chair of MHSA Board of Directors; Nicole Blais, CEO of HCS Head Start; Michelle Haimowitz, Executive Director of MHSA; Lori Chaves, Director of Clinical and Family Services for HCS Head Start; Janet Steigmeyer, COO, HCS Head Start; Mahera Chiarizio, Director of Education for HCS Head Start and Cynthia Normand, CFO for HCS Head Start. ... See MoreSee Less

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Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Inc.

2 days ago

This month, our STAFF SHOUTOUT proudly recognizes two incredible members of our enrollment team, Chasity and Margot.Chasity recently celebrated two years with HCS Head Start and was recently promoted to Community Outreach Liaison after beginning in Enrollment Administrative Support. She is ambitious, creative, and always thinking outside the box. Chasity consistently goes above and beyond by bringing fresh ideas forward and finding new ways to connect families to the many resources and opportunities within our program. From supporting office operations to representing HCS Head Start at community events, she leads with confidence, enthusiasm, and a true passion for the work. Her contributions to our Marketing and Wellness Committees further reflect her commitment to making a meaningful impact.Margot has also been with HCS Head Start for two years as an Enrollment Advisor and continues to demonstrate exceptional dedication and initiative. She is organized, efficient, and a natural leader who is always thinking one step ahead. Margot is deeply connected to the families we serve and builds strong, supportive relationships that make a lasting difference. She is always willing to step in, support her peers, and help guide new staff, all while ensuring families have the resources and support they need to succeed.Chasity (featured on the right in this photo) and Margot (on the left in this photo) embody the heart of our mission through their teamwork, leadership, and commitment to families. We are grateful to celebrate them and the impact they make every day. ... See MoreSee Less

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