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Education
Phoenix Head Start programs enrolling
Southwest Human Development
Southwest Human Development has openings in its Head Start and Early Head Start programs for this fall.
Posted
The Valley's back-to-school time has begun, and organizers of local Head Start and Early Head Start programs say now is the time to enroll.
Southwest Human Development’s free Early Head Start and Head Start programs have immediate openings available for eligible families in Phoenix looking to enroll their children in high-quality child care to help prepare them for kindergarten success and positive outcomes later in life.
Federally funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start programs are designed to fulfill early learning, health and family well-being needs of young children and their families.
Each Head Start program has varying age and eligibility criteria. To enroll in Head Start, children must turn 3 prior to Aug. 31 of that school year and also be age 5 or under, while Early Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs are available to pregnant women and their children from birth to age 3.
Families with income levels that fall below federal poverty guidelines receive priority entry into Head Start programs.
All children who participate gain access to a welcoming, high-quality learning environment, highly-trained staff and low child-to-teacher ratios. The programs aim to provide high-quality learning with trained staff while also providing access to health and development screenings, nutritious meals and snacks, dental and mental health support, and other related services.
“Our part-day and full-day programs help ensure every child has the chance to succeed during their earliest years, when they enter the K-12 school system, and beyond,” said Mindy Zapata, director of Early Head Start and Head Start at Southwest Human Development.
The nonprofit’s early education programs serve more than 1,200 children and their families. Programs are offered at Educare Arizona and in the Balsz, Creighton, Madison, Osborn and Paradise Valley school districts.
Additionally, Southwest Human Development’s Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs are offered at several Phoenix child care centers.
Families can call 602-560-0000 to speak with one of Southwest Human Development’s Head Start enrollment specialists who will walk parents or caregivers through the application process, provide eligibility information and help them find the most convenient Head Start location to meet their family’s needs. Whether it is near a family’s home or their place of work, high-quality preschool is available.
Learn more about Southwest Human Development’s Head Start programs or complete an online application at swhd.org/HeadStart.
