These guidelines support high-quality, consistent, and reliable Spanish translations of information, tools, and resources developed on behalf of the Office of Head Start.
Apply the Head Start Bilingual Glossary and the Style Guide for Translations into Spanish to all materials. The requirements are revised yearly. Submit glossary terms or feedback for consideration to translations at hsicc dot org.
Translating Content
HeadStart.gov is fully bilingual. All HTML pages are available in English and Spanish. HeadStart.gov page translation into Spanish is managed by the Head Start Information and Communications Center (HSICC) with a translation management system. The National Centers are required to translate any other materials — e-blasts; PDF files, Word documents, PowerPoint slides, audio-visual media and caption files, learning modules, and mobile applications. HSICC reviews all translations submitted by the Centers.
Documents, resources, and materials selected for translation include:
- Content identified as a priority for translation by OHS
- Content that is essential for grantees and programs to improve quality and meet federal and legislative regulations
- Content that is useful for English-speaking professional development providers (e.g., TTA network staff) or consultants to train Spanish-speaking staff
- Content that is relevant to the Hispanic/Latino community
- Content that will be permanent
Links on English HeadStart.gov pages should only refer to English pages and PDF files, while links on Spanish HeadStart.gov pages should refer to Spanish pages and PDF files. However, if the Spanish translation doesn’t exist yet, include the “(en inglés)” notation next to the link.
Additional Resources
Review helpful resources below that will help you deliver clear, reader-focused, and high-quality translations, Spanish captioning, and interpretation services.
Grammar Rules and Linguistic Questions
Translation Guidance
- Designing for Translation
- Plain Language Summit 2018: Translation Considerations (pp. 154–174)
- Your Spanish Content Strategy Is Much More Than Just Translation
Federal Resources
- Bilingual Glossaries, Dictionaries, and Style Guides
- Child Welfare Terms, English to Spanish
- Grant Terminology
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Interpretation and Translation Resources
- Official Directory of Government Departments and Agencies in Spanish
Last Updated: January 9, 2025