HEAD START MISSION STATEMENT:  Head Start provides high quality comprehensive services in partnership with local communities so that children, families, staff and community members embrace life-long learning leading to self-esteem and self-sufficiency.

                                                   We love volunteer readers!!                                                 Our parents are involved too!

Head Start is a program with Central Missouri Community Action.  Fulton Head Start, located at 1600 Westminster, serves children and families in all of Callaway County.  Forty children and families are served in the program throughout the year.  If a family leaves our program we have a waitlist to enroll a new family.  The site is a part year program with services provided from August/September through May.  Options for children include a full day classroom intended for working families and a part day (4 hours).  Our part day services “wrap around” the public school’s Title I and ECSE programs.

One on one time is really appreciated!      

         We even learn on the playground.

The Head Start program is not just for kids.  We recognize that family is very important to the child’s development.  Our program is designed to work with the entire family.  The Fulton site has four Child and Family Development Advocates (CFDA) with each one focusing on ten families throughout the year.  This person will focus helping families identify and build upon their strengths in order to enhance self-esteem and family life.  Through the family development process, each family is assisted with setting goals, breaking into attainable steps, and referred for services to enable them to attain their goals or “dreams” of a better life.

Health services in Head Start include health, nutrition, disability and mental health services.  Our site staff works as a team to ensure the health and safety of the children at the center.  Early identification of health problems is a large focus in Head Start as a child’s health status greatly affects his/her ability to learn.  Children are screened for possible health concerns.  Parents/guardians are assisted in keeping their child up-to-date with well child checks and immunizations.  If a health problem is identified, our staff will follow up by assisting parents to identify resources, securing transportation to appointments, and helping with funding if needed.  Promoting health and preventing health problems is crucial to Head Start.  Cleanliness and personal hygiene are emphasized by routinely practicing tooth brushing and hand washing.  Children are fed nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.  Rest and activity time are balanced according to the age and development of the child.

Our Healthy Smiles Training for Parents….                                         Every day is a learning experience.

Fulton Head Start classrooms use the High Scope curriculum.  This approach focuses on providing the children with active learning experiences.  Active learning is direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas.  Our CFDAs plan daily lesson plans using children’s interests.  This helps CFDAs set up the learning environment, conduct small and large group activities and interact with children in ways that address their development.  The child’s developmental progress is shared with the family through home visits and parent teacher conferences.  We want to help the children develop to their full potential during their time in Head Start.

At Fulton Head Start we are confident that the children will experience the highest quality child care and education services possible.  We look forward every year to working with parents/guardians to ensure children achieve outcomes that will lead to success in school and in life.  We encourage families to participate fully in the wide variety of supports and services that the center offers.   

If you have would like any further information about Fulton Head Start pleas feel free to contact Terry Campbell at 573-642-3201.