Keziah makes a creature out of playdough at her Save the Children Head Start Center in Louisiana.
Giving Children a Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that provide early learning opportunities to children born through age 5 growing up in poverty, during their most critical stages of development. But communities where children need these programs sometimes struggle to maintain high-quality Head Start programs that meet national standards. This problem is particularly acute in isolated, rural communities where alternative programs for young children are limited or non-existent.
Save the Children was awarded its first Head Start grant in 2011. Currently, we administer Head Start and Early Head Start programs in rural communities in five states – Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee. To provide the children and families we serve with comprehensive services, we hire qualified candidates, provide intensive training, refurbish classrooms and playgrounds and equip our teachers with research-based curriculums that help stimulate young minds and activate little hands and bodies.
We also use our innovative and highly successful home visiting program, Early Steps to School Success, and incorporate learnings into Early Head Start programs to serve expectant mothers and their young children.
As one of a few multi-state Head Start providers in the country, Save the Children is able to achieve cost savings through scale. We draw on the rich early childhood expertise of our staff and lead training and mentoring opportunities. Plus, as a Head Start provider that focuses exclusively on rural America, we are proud to build early childhood development capacity in communities that need it most.
Head Start Awareness Month
October is Head Start Awareness Month and it hopes to bring awareness to this critical program that benefits millions of families and children in the United States. Head Start assists children belonging to low-income families by providing them with a framework meeting their psychosocial, emotional, nutritional, and health needs. Children are given a boost until the age of five, easing the pressure on their families.
Where We Work
Arkansas Head Start
Save the Children currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs at 3 centers in St. Francis and Woodruff Counties, serving 72 children, families and expectant mothers.
Arkansas Administration Office
224 N. Rosser Street,
Forrest City, AR 72335
(870) 494-4010
Louisiana Head Start
Save the Children currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs at 17 centers in Jefferson Davis, Natchitoches, DeSoto and Red River Parishes, serving more than 1,308 children, families and expectant mothers.
Jefferson Davis Parish Administration Office
306 S Lake Arthur Avenue
Jennings, Louisiana 70546
(337) 616-9556
Red River Parish Administration Office
319 North Street
Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457
(318) 357-2213
North Carolina Head Start
Save the Children currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs at 7 centers in Cabarrus, Montgomery, Moore and Stanly Counties, serving more than 440 children, families and expectant mothers.
Cabarrus County Administration Office
310 Kerr Street NW
Concord, North Carolina 28025
(980) 777-1462
South Piedmont Region Administration Office
414 South Main Street
Troy, North Carolina 27371
(980) 777-1462
Oklahoma Head Start
Save the Children currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs at 7 centers Le Flore County, serving more than 300 children, families and expectant mothers.
Oklahoma Administrative Office
117 SW 6th Street
Spiro, OK 74959
(479) 357-6919
Tennessee Head Start
Save the Children currently leads Head Start and Early Head Start programs at 6 centers in Crockett, Dyer, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton Counties, serving more than 300 children, families and expectant mothers.
Tennessee Administrative Office
142 Nelson Street
Ripley, TN 38063
(662) 452-5098
Are you interested in working in a Save the Children Head Start program? Check out career opportunities here!
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