Holyoke • Chicopee• Springfield Head Start is a multi-service agency, providing comprehensive programs, services and support to local communities, families and children.
HCS Head Start is more than child care. 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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What I like about Head Start are the dinosaurs!
COVID-19 UPDATES
In light of the current COVID-19 global pandemic — and mindful of the health, safety and well-being of our children, families and staff — we have made significant changes to our Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
RECENT NEWS
Educare Springfield Updates!
by Nicole Blais, Director of Community Engagement Educare
A Year Like No Other: Letters to the Editor
HCS Head Start CEO & Director Janis Santos reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic and early education.
Educare Springfield
Launching Educare Springfield Program Educare Springfield, the
Janis Santos Receives Awards
Janis Santos Honored Janis Santos, Chief Executive
Head Start is the national commitment to give every child,
regardless of circumstances at birth, an opportunity to succeed in school and in life.
In the 50 years since its inception, Head Start has improved the lives of more than 32 million children and their families.
Head Start alumni – or “Head Start babies,” as they often call themselves – are in all walks of the nation’s life.
Educators, doctors, lawyers, military personnel, artists, engineers,
religious and civic leaders, and scientists – from all across the country –
remember Head Start as the place where, at an early age, they acquired a life-long love of learning.
In addition to life and school preparedness, Head Start is also the nation’s laboratory for early learning innovation.
Head Start offers a unique whole child/whole family program design coupled with a
delivery system that includes local programs, national standards, monitoring, professional development,
and family engagement. This has been the basis for many subsequent statewide and community initiatives.