Since 1965 Head Start has provided comprehensive early childhood services to low-income children and their families. These services are intended to prepare children to enter kindergarten and improve the conditions necessary for their success in school and life. Today, Head Start provides these services to more than one million children across the United States. There are classrooms that are Full Day Head Start and are year-round as well as classrooms that are Extended Day Head Start that run September through May.
The program provides each child hands-on learning, individualized education, language-rich interactions, social and emotional development, two healthy meals and one snack per day, and health screenings and referrals. It helps families by offering encouragement/referrals supporting family goals, parent/child activities and curriculum, support for parents to become their child's first and forever teacher, opportunities to be a part of parent leadership and agency decision-making, and relationships with school districts to ensure smooth transitions.
Eligible children receive education, nutrition, social service referrals, and health services from YMCA Head Start programs which are federally funded. Parents are extended an open invitation to become involved through group activities, volunteering, and interactions with our experienced and caring associates. The early years are critical to the healthy development of every child. Head Start is focused on school readiness and healthy families. You can set your child up for success now and in the future with Head Start. Your child may be eligible if you are homeless or living with friends or family, a member of your family receives Supplemental Security Income, you are receiving TANF benefits, you are a foster parent or a grandparent raising a grandchild, your household income falls below the federal poverty guidelines, or your child has a diagnosed disability.
Call 816-841-3382 or email MarcHeadStart@marc.org to schedule an application appointment today! Items needed to apply may include: proof of income (most recent paystub or tax documents from the previous year), proof of TANF, Supplemental Security Income, or Foster Care, proof of birth (child's birth certificate or Medicaid card), child's up-to-date immunization record, and homeless letter (if applicable).
There are a few different YMCA Head Start locations in the area. Head Start facilities serving children 3 to 5 years old can be found at Burlington YMCA Head Start (Extended Day and Full Day Head Start, 2701 Burlington Ave, North Kansas City, MO 64116), Northland YMCA Head Start (Extended day and Full Day Head Start, 3100 NE 83rd St, Suite 1501, Kansas City, MO 64119), Columbus Park YMCA Early Education Center (Extended Day Head Start, 1100 E. 4th St, Kansas City, MO 64106), and Park Hill YMCA Head Start (Extended Day Head Start, 8100 N. Congress Ave, Kansas City, MO 64152). Early Head Start serving children 6 weeks to 3 years old is available at Thomas Roque YMCA Head Start (Early Head Start, 3800 E. 51st St, Kansas City, MO 64130).
More info can also be found at https://kansascityymca.org/programs/early-education.
