If you live OR work Schuyler County, you could qualify!
Welcome to
Schuyler Head Start
Schuyler Head Start/Early Head Start is a federally funded program serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age in low-income families. Children take part in a wide range of educational activities, receive free medical and dental care, enjoy nutritious meals and snacks, and play safely both indoors and outdoors. Head Start is designed to help every child succeed, with services tailored to support children with disabilities as well.
Our program also provides preschool education, health and dental services, kindergarten transition support, nutrition and hygiene education, small bus transportation, and alcohol and drug prevention initiatives.
Schuyler Head Start Programs promote school readiness for children ages 3 to 5 by supporting their growth in a positive and nurturing learning environment. We work closely with families, school districts, and community partners to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten. Recognizing that health and physical development are essential for early learning, our program provides safe, healthy, and engaging opportunities for children to explore and experience their world.
In addition, we offer services that support family well-being and strengthen parent-child relationships by actively involving families in their child’s learning and development.
Our 4PK classrooms are offered in collaboration with the Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen school districts. This partnership aligns Schuyler Head Start’s comprehensive services—including preschool education, health and dental screenings, nutrition, and kindergarten transition support—with district resources, expanding access for all 4-year-olds in the community.
Benefits of this partnership include:
Reducing barriers for families through integrated support and services.
Ensuring consistency in curriculum and readiness standards between Head Start and public schools.
Supporting smoother academic and social transitions into kindergarten.
Through shared vision and cooperation, Schuyler Head Start and its partner school districts are committed to ensuring that every 4-year-old in our community has access to high-quality early learning.
Our Early Head Start program serves children ages 6 weeks to 36 months. We offer a variety of services, including weekly home visits that focus on child development, safety, nutrition, and family goals. Parents and children can also take part in playgroups, providing opportunities to socialize, learn, and share experiences. Families can participate in PEER sessions, where they come to the center—or an offsite location—to experience what a classroom might be like, giving both parents and children a preview of group learning activities. In addition, we help families connect with community resources as needed and provide ongoing support for parents in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
Head Start provides families with a sense of belonging, support services, and opportunities to get involved in activities that benefit the entire household. Parents can participate in training on a variety of topics, including child development, job skills, health and nutrition, and ways to access free community resources. Some families take English or literacy classes, while others explore additional adult education opportunities with Head Start’s guidance.
For families facing challenges such as substance abuse, job loss, or other crises, Head Start connects them with trusted community resources, including medical, social service, and employment specialists, and follows up to ensure support is received.
Parents can also volunteer with Head Start to gain hands-on experience in child development. These opportunities may lead to further training and even careers in early childhood education. In addition, parents have a voice in shaping the program by serving on committees, often gaining confidence and decision-making skills that extend beyond Head Start and into their daily lives.
While most of Head Start’s funding comes from a federal grant, we also rely on the generosity of our community through company and individual donations. These contributions allow us to provide a high-quality program for the children of Schuyler County. Your donation helps support healthy meals and snacks, classroom supplies, equipment, and other essential items.
To donate to the Schuyler Head Start program, please print and complete the donor form, and mail it along with your tax-deductible contribution to:
Schuyler Head Start Inc. 323 Owego St. Unit 1 Montour Falls, NY 14865
