American Way Head Start - Early Head Start

🌟 Key Highlights: American Way Head Start – Early Head Start

American Way Head Start – Early Head Start is a federally funded early childhood education and comprehensive family services program in Memphis, Tennessee. It is committed to promoting the school readiness of children from low-income families by providing holistic services that include education, health, nutrition, and parental involvement.

🏫 Overview

• Type: Public / Federally Funded Early Childhood Program (Head Start / Early Head Start)

• Location: Memphis, Tennessee (Serving families in Shelby County)

• Ages Served: Infants/Toddlers (Early Head Start: Age 0–3) and Preschoolers (Head Start: Age 3–5)

• Enrollment: Varies by program, serving numerous children and families across the service area.

• Core Mission: To provide comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and social services to eligible children and families, promoting child development and supporting family stability and self-sufficiency.

• Affiliation: Part of the national Head Start program, typically administered locally by a community action agency or non-profit organization (e.g., in Memphis, often through Head Start programs managed by local groups).

• Focus: School readiness and comprehensive family support.

✅ What Makes the School Unique?

This program is distinguished by its comprehensive, two-generation approach to support disadvantaged families:

• Comprehensive Family Services: Goes beyond basic education by offering a full range of services, including dental and medical screenings, mental health support, nutritional planning, and social service referrals, addressing barriers to success.

• Early Head Start Component: Specifically targets infants and toddlers (ages 0-3), providing intensive early developmental and educational services during the most critical period of brain development.

• Parental Engagement: Features a strong Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) framework. Parents are recognized as the child’s first and most important teachers, and the program actively involves them in program governance, decision-making, and educational activities.

• School Readiness Focus: Curriculum is designed to promote literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, and scientific thinking—the skills essential for a smooth transition to Kindergarten.

• No-Cost Program: All services are provided at no cost to eligible families who meet federal poverty guidelines.

📞 Contact Information