Head Start

 

Ready for School, Ready for Life

Head Start is an early childhood development program that offers activities and support to children and their families in classrooms throughout Columbia County, NY.  We offer two programs:

  • Head Start Preschool (for eligible three and four-year olds)

  • ⭐️ NEW: Early Head Start (for eligible toddlers 18 months to 36 month)

Why choose Head Start?

  • Individualized learning experiences

  • Focus on the whole child and family

  • Qualified, caring staff

  • Inclusive and culturally responsive

  • Strong partnerships with parents and the community

We support early learners as they make decisions, build academic skills, develop socially and emotionally, and become part of a classroom community.

Miss Amanda plays a matching game with Head Start students.

Miss Amanda plays a matching game with Head Start students.

What is Head Start Preschool?

Head Start preschool is a high-quality early childhood education program for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds and their families.

  • Provides individualized early learning experiences

  • Helps children build strong social, emotional, and cognitive skills

  • Offers a clean, healthy environment with nutritious meals and hygiene habits

  • Supports children with disabilities

  • Prepares children for kindergarten and beyond

  • Encourages family engagement and goal-setting

Head Start Preschool classrooms locations:

  • Craryville

  • Hudson

  • Valatie

What is Early Headstart?

Early Head Start provides comprehensive child development and family support services for toddlers between 18 months to 36 months and their families.

  • Focuses on building strong, healthy bonds between parent and child

  • Services delivered in small classroom settings and through home visits

  • Low child-to-teacher ratios ensure continuity of care and individual attention

  • Promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development

  • Prepares children for success in preschool and lifelong learning

Early Head Start classroom locations:

  • Philmonth

  • Valatie

Head Start Services to Families

  • Help families set and reach goals around housing, education, and financial stability

  • Strengthen parent-child relationships

  • Support parent engagement through committees and Policy Council

  • Connect families to local resources and community services

  • Empower parents as their child’s first and most important teacher

Please call (518) 828-6312 or text: (518) 775-4475 for more information.

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Administrative Office Location: 540 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY

This website is supported by a grant from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Columbia Opportunities, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.