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.

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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

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Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Inc.

2 days ago

What makes Head Start so powerful goes far beyond the classroom.In a recent MassLive opinion piece, HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais shares her perspective on proposed federal changes to Head Start and what they could mean for the children and families the program serves. The proposed changes are intended to reduce federal requirements and give local programs greater flexibility. Nicole explains why HCS is concerned that changes to areas including class sizes, teacher qualifications, developmental and health services, and family support could also weaken some of the comprehensive services that have defined Head Start for more than 60 years.Here at HCS, we see the impact of those services every day. In 2026, we served 545 preschoolers from more than 505 families, supported children with chronic health conditions and Individualized Education Programs, and helped families navigate everything from developmental services to housing and community resources. Head Start can continue to evolve, but as Nicole writes, we must remember what has made this program successful for generations of children and families. ...

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Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, Inc.

2 days ago

🎃👻 Halloween is full of excitement for little ones, and a few simple precautions can help keep the night fun and safe for everyone! As your family gets ready for trick-or-treating, HCS Head Start encourages parents and caregivers to keep these Halloween safety tips in mind:🎃 Choose costumes that fit properly and are easy to see and move in.🔦 Carry flashlights or glow sticks and add reflective elements to costumes when possible.👻 Always accompany young children while trick-or-treating.🚦 Use sidewalks and cross streets at designated crosswalks whenever possible.🍬 Check all treats before children dig in, especially for choking hazards or potential allergens.🏠 Remind children to only approach well-lit homes and never enter someone’s home without a trusted adult.Most importantly, have FUN! We hope all of our HCS Head Start children and families have a happy, safe, and SPOOK-tacular Halloween! 🎃🧡👻 ...

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