Early Learning Programs
Youth In Need’s Early Learning Programs includes Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the following formats:
Prenatal Services
Our prenatal services include 90-minute visits either in the home or in the community to support prenatal individuals and their families with pregnancy and preparing for the baby. We follow the Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum, provide referrals and resources and help connect families to medical and dental resources that support a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. This flexible program works to meet individual family needs, address questions and provide information on a variety of topics, including labor and delivery, safety, newborn care, nutrition and physical and emotional health.
Home Visitation Services
Home visitation services help families and communities support young children in their homes. Home Visitors come to each family’s home once a week for 90 minutes. They bring activities that match the child’s age and also plan two group activities for families each month. These visits help parents improve parenting skills and make their home a great place for early learning. Home visitors also help families with any social service needs they might have.
Center-Based Services
Center-based services provide full support for families with young children. Family Advocates work with teachers and families to offer social services in our free, full-day early childhood classrooms. Some sites also have extended hours for a fee. Parents are seen as their child’s first and most important teachers and are encouraged to join in classroom activities. Teachers build relationships with families through two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences each year. All center staff strive to create a learning environment that supports the social, emotional, physical and educational development of children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. In our classrooms, children engage in play-based learning to help them grow and get ready for Kindergarten. Classroom ages and service types vary by site.
Where are the Early Learning Programs located?
- St. Louis City
- St. Louis County
- St. Charles County
- Lincoln County
- Warren County
- Montgomery County
General Services
Both Head Start and Early Head Start offers the following:
- Educational Services
- Child education services
- Prenatal education services
- Child development screenings
- Parent conferences and updates on your child’s development
- Parent education on social emotional curriculum
- Activities and ideas for continued learning at home
- Inclusion of children with disabilities
- Health Services
- Vision, hearing, health and nutrition screenings
- Regular visits from a licensed nurse practitioner for health services
- Dental screenings from community dental partners
- Nutritious meals and snacks planned by a registered dietician
- Licensed child therapists on staff
- Family Services
- Family Advocates available at each site
- Individualized resource information and referrals for family needs
- Family engagement events to meet and connect with other parents
- Volunteer and employment opportunities
- Leadership and decision-making opportunities for parents about our program
Is my family eligible? What does it cost?
Income: A family is income-eligible and can apply for any of the early learning programs by showing proof of one of the following:
- Family receives SNAP/EBT benefits (food stamps)
- Family receives TANF (cash assistance)
- Family receives SSI
- Household income at or below federal income guidelines (can be check stubs, W-2, tax documents, etc.)
- Family experiencing homelessness (as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act)
- Child is in foster care
Age Requirements: Age should be documented by a copy of the child’s birth certificate, hospital records, medical cards with birth date included, etc.
- Prenatal: Pregnant individuals
- Early Head Start: Birth up to age 3
- Head Start: The child is at least 3 years old and through the age of 5
Cost: Services are provided at no cost to families for full-day center-based services, home visitation services or prenatal services. Some centers may optionally offer extended hours for a fee, and families are not required to participate.
Contact
To learn more about Head Start or to enroll your child in the program, call the county where you need services or email the Program Administrator. You can also start your application and a staff member will contact you directly in the next few days.
- St. Louis City and County: 314-353-6906
- St. Charles County: 636-332-0265
- Lincoln County: 636-462-6061
- Warren County: 636-329-4235
- Montgomery County: 573-564-2600
Youth In Need does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status in employment or our provision of services.
This website is supported by grants 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 Youth In Need and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.
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