Head Start program?

Question

what is the difference between preschool and the head start programs? what are the different benefits they have?

Answer 1

No thank different but head start more children in the classroom and 1-2 teachers. The preschool 1 teacher for 8 child.

Answer 2

Head Start is a federally funded preschool program for low income families or families with other stressors. It has nutrition and social services components that might not be found in different types of programs as well as an emphasis on helping the family, not just the child. Also, parents have some say in what goes on. Like any other program the quality varies greatly from place to place.

Answer 3

Head Start is a federally-funded program whose goal is to provide a "head start" in education for children who MAY be at risk...one of the prequalifiers is financial, however there are other qualifiers that are used to analyze whether that child is at risk or not.  Please do not be turned away just because this is a program for "low-income" families.  These are usually wonderful programs with wonderful very hardworking teachers.  The program usually has 18 children in each class with 3 staff members... a lead teacher with a bachelor's degree and a ZA endorsement, an associate teacher with a CDA or equivalent and one who qualifies as a "care-giver".   They have strict guidelines they must follow... they must follow an approved curriculum and they provide great assessments.  One thing that this program can do that other preschool program can not is provide "extra" if a child has a delay or disability.  They have a great support system.  Also you will find that the turn over rate for staff is not as high as in a regular program.  There is more comparisons to be made...however I hope this helps a bit.

Answer 4

Head start is an excellent program. It is different than preschool, because it focuses not only on academic activities it helps with social skills, manners, table manners, and good hygiene. It is proven that children in head start do better when the actually get to school. My child was in head start and I fully support it. So if you can get your child into it do it.

Answer 5

Another huge difference is that Head Start is geared towrds low income families. Ther have income guidelines that you have to meet to qualify for Head Start. I called them when my son was pre-school age and we came no where near qualifying, so we instead had to pay to put our son in pre-k.

Answer 6

Head Start is a government funded program for low income children.  Any child rich or poor can go to preschool.  One way that Head Start is better is because the teacher's have a higher education (Batchelor's Degree for teacher, and Associate's Degree for assistant).  At a regular preschool an assistant could be right off the street, and a teacher just needs nine months of experience and three classes.  Head Start has a lot of family supports with it.  It has links to other agencies, support groups, parent meetings, and other benefits.