Child development program for preschool children, 3-5 years, which stresses parent involvement, education, social services, and health.

Locations in Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Seward, Thayer, and York Counties.

Offers child care, preschool, before/after school, school days out, and summer programs, as well as Early Head Start.

All children six weeks to 12 years old are eligible, depending on space available; financial assistance is available to those who qualify through. Language support is available for those whose first language is not English.

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs that serve children from birth to age five, pregnant women and their families. The programs are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.

Both programs provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education, medical, dental and mental health, nutrition and social service to children and their families. Parent involvement is encouraged and support is offered for children with disabilities.

Local school contacts in Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie and Sac Counties are listed below:

-- Audubon, Carroll, Coon Rapids: (712) 830-9442

-- Adel, Waukee: (515) 987-7428 or (712) 830-1327

-- Guthrie Center, Jefferson, Panora: (712) 830-6990

-- Rockwell City, Lytton, Sac City, Schaller, Crestland, Southern Cal: (712) 830-1326

-- Perry: (515) 238-2194

Early Head Start ensures that children (0-3 years of age) and their families receive the academic, social, mental, health, and nutritional education they need.

Head Start prepares children for Kindergarten and beyond. Also meets the nutritional, health, social and mental health needs of children and their families.

Family resource program to support parents in educating and nurturing their children. The program provides parents with opportunities to move toward self-sufficiency by working with other community organizations. Health and mental health services are also provided to participants.

Program helps parents better understand their child's stages of development with individualized visits in the home. The weekly visits are 90 minutes in length and are designed to meet the needs of each family. Staff will assist families in planning activities that encourage the child's growth. Social activities will be held twice monthly to provide the opportunity to interact with your child and other families.

Early Head Start ensures that children (0-3 years of age) and their families receive the academic, social, mental, health, and nutritional education they need.

Head Start prepares children for Kindergarten and beyond. Also meets the nutritional, health, social and mental health needs of children and their families.

Provides preschool to children from ages 3 to 5. Provides Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided for children attending.

Head Start is an educational program to help prepare children for transition into kindergarten and provides health screenings and nutrients. Transportation is available at most locations. Early Head Start is specific to meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers. Offers home-based options with a weekly visit from a teacher in the family's home along with two special days a month for activities with other families.

Provides year-round learning for children ages 0-3. Educare provides year-round learning for children ages 0-5.

Provides child care for ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. Includes preschool and Spanish classes for children ages 3-5 at no additional cost.

Offers an after school and school out program for K-6th grade.

Transports school age children from school to YWCA for after school care.