From staff reports
CLARION – Jefferson-Clarion Head Start Inc. invites local communities to join in celebrating “The Week of the Young Child” that will be held April 11 through 15.
The theme of the week is “Celebrating Our Youngest Learners.”
The purpose of this week is to inform the public about early childhood programs and to recognize the importance and benefits of early intervention. Additionally, it is a time to draw attention to the needs of young children and their families and plan how to better care for all young children.
Jefferson-Clarion Head Start Inc. operates pre-school and family development programs that serves children from birth to five years of age and pregnant women. Jefferson-Clarion Head Start Inc. will serve over 700 children in Jefferson and Clarion Counties this year through Head Start, Pre-K Counts, Early Head Start and Family Literacy programs.
Head Start and Pre-K Counts provide a high quality pre-kindergarten experience to children to prepare them for entrance into the public schools. Each classroom is staffed with qualified teachers and uses an educational curriculum aligned with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.
Children are regularly assessed to monitor their educational development. Parents are recognized as the primary educator of their child and the most important influence on their lives. Parent involvement is encouraged at all levels.
Early Head Start provides home-based services to families with children birth to age 3, and pregnant women. Parent educators conduct weekly home visits with families that focus on child development, parent-child bonding, health and nutrition and practicing positive parenting skills.
Parent educators use the Partners of a Healthy Baby curriculum to assist in guiding their activities with families. Infant and toddler playtimes are provided twice per month for families.
Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts are now accepting applications for enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year. As a way to inform the public about the program and for anyone interested in seeing a classroom or talking to staff, each center is having an open house during the “Week of the Young Child.”
Time, date and locations of open houses in the area are:
- Clarion Head Start Center will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, and is located at 1 Deitz Place, Clarion.
- Clarion-Limestone Head Start Center will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, and is located at 1 Deitz Place, Clarion.
- Knox Head Start Center will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, and is located at Keystone Elementary School, 451 Huston Road, Room K1, Knox.
- Clarion Early Head Start site will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, and is located at 11304 U.S. Route 322, Shippenville.
- Rimersburg Head Start Center will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 11, and is located at 350 Eccles Street, Rimersburg.
- Rimersburg Early Head Start Center will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 11, and is located at the Baker Street Church of God, 160 Veteran Street, Rimersburg.
- Sligo Pre-K Counts Center is open from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, and is located at the Sligo Methodist Church, 506 Penn Street, Sligo.
- Clarion Pre-K Counts Center will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, and is located at the Clarion Elementary School, 800 Boundary Street, Room B12, Clarion.
Everyone is encouraged to take the time to visit a Head Start classroom and learn more about early childhood programs and services.
For more information, please call Jefferson-Clarion Head Start Inc. at 849-3660 or toll free at 800-628-6150.