HEAD START PROGRAMS PREPARE YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO SUCCEED IN KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS
When Head Start programs and schools partner, children succeed! 
Head Start Programs in Your Community
•	Of 787,000+ children enrolled in 50,007 locally-run Head Start classrooms:
o	72% are entering kindergarten in the next two years across 13,000+ local education agencies (LEAs)
o	34% are dual language learners
o	72% are entering kindergarten in the next two years across 13,000+ local education agencies (LEAs)
o	80,000+ received disabilities services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) during the program year
•	9,000+ formal agreements have been made between programs and schools to coordinate services for children ages 0–5 with disabilities
•	8,700+ collaboration agreements have been made between programs and schools to coordinate transition services
Head Start Programs Prioritize Health for Children and Families
When looking at children across all Head Start programs:
•	95% have accessible health care 
•	96% have health insurance
•	88% are up to date on immunizations
•	86% have accessible dental care 
•	70% of preschoolers received preventative dental care during the current year
Families Engaged in Learning
•	400,000+ nationwide volunteers are current or former Head Start parents
•	Programs involve families through:
o	Policy Council
o	Comprehensive services and learning
o	Frequent engagement with education and family service staff
Professionals Ready to Partner
•	5,500+ coaches are committed to supporting the development of education staff
•	Of the 74,000+ Head Start preschool teachers nationwide:
•	68% have a bachelor's degree or higher
•	69% of assistant teachers have Child Development Associate (CDA®) credentials, associate degrees, or higher
5 Things Head Start Programs Do to Support School Readiness
1.	Actively engage parents and recognize family participation throughout the program as key to strong child and family outcomes.
2.	Use research-based curricula and assessments so each child progresses in their social and emotional, language and literacy, math, science, and physical development.
3.	Support at-home learning and healthy habits, from parent–child reading and regular bedtimes to positive parenting practices.
4.	Coordinate comprehensive services with an equity lens so children and families can access opportunities and community resources that contribute to their well-being (e.g., moving toward economic mobility and access to health services).
5.	Identify, refer, and serve children with disabilities or suspected delays, and facilitate disabilities services in partnership with families and LEAs.

LOCAL HEAD START CONTACT
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Note: Data from 2023 Office of Head Start Program Information Report; data reflects ages 0-5 Head Start/Early Head Start programming unless specifically noted as preschool.