New Directions Early Head Start
Governing Body
The Governing Body provides oversight of Head Start programs, including school-readiness efforts. It also helps engage the community in identifying school-readiness goals and building the support needed to achieve them.
Role of Parents in New Directions Early Head Start
- Parents are expected to actively participate in activities during the weekly, 90-minute home visit and help plan each visit.
- Parents participating in the Home Visiting option must be available to meet with their Child and Family Specialist once each week.
- Parents are expected to be at the designated meeting location at the agreed-upon time.
- When a family cannot keep a home-visit appointment, they should contact their Child and Family Specialist as soon as possible and reschedule the visit for another convenient time that week.
- Parents are encouraged to complete suggested follow-up activities with their child between visits and share those activities with their Child and Family Specialist for volunteer-hour documentation.
- Parents are encouraged to participate in volunteer opportunities whenever possible.
- Parents are encouraged to partner with staff and participate in program decision-making through the Parent Committee and/or Policy Council.
- Parents enrolled in NDEHS automatically become members of the Parent Committee. The committee gives families and staff an opportunity to work together on program planning, decision-making, and identifying what families would like to do and learn.
Parent Committee activities may include:
- Electing Policy Council representatives
- Providing input and suggestions for the program curriculum
- Planning group socializations and weekly home-visit activities
- Locating resources to support program activities
- Bringing parents together around common interests
- Working with Policy Council to support program development
- Planning programs and activities for parents and staff
Your Role in Your Child’s Learning
When families involve young children in everyday learning by talking, playing, singing, and reading with them from birth, children can develop stronger literacy skills, positive peer relationships, fewer behavior concerns, and greater motivation during learning activities.
Head Start recognizes families as essential partners in children’s school readiness. Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers can support children’s learning in many meaningful ways.
Learn How Children Develop
What you do and say with your child makes a meaningful difference. Learning about child development can help you understand the changes, skills, and accomplishments you may see as your child grows.
- Babies begin learning even before birth, and each new stage brings opportunities for connection and growth.
- Children develop at their own pace, but learning about developmental milestones can help families know what to expect.
- Children who are healthy and safe are better able to focus on learning. Learn more about how health supports school readiness .
Help Your Child Learn
Children learn throughout the day. Everyday routines such as meals, getting dressed, errands, and playtime provide opportunities to build social-emotional, language, literacy, thinking, and physical skills.
- Explore ways to make learning fun during everyday activities at home and in the community.
- Reading, singing, and talking with your child helps build language skills and knowledge about the world.
- Supporting your child’s oral health helps them learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential.
Partner With Staff to Follow Your Child’s Progress
Families know their children best. Sharing what your child can do, what they are learning, and where they may need support helps families and staff set meaningful goals and follow the child’s progress together.
- Head Start programs use developmental screening to help identify children’s strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful.
- Families of children with disabilities or developmental needs may participate in developing an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Families can help children succeed in school by supporting learning at home and partnering with educators.
Get Involved With Your Child’s Program
Children benefit when families actively participate in their education. Families may share their cultures and experiences, help plan events, attend committee meetings, volunteer, or serve on Policy Council.
- Read stories from Head Start families about ways to participate and the benefits of family involvement.
- Watch Nurturing the Promise to learn about opportunities available to Head Start children and families.
Infant and Toddler School Readiness
Learn more about Head Start’s approach to helping infants and toddlers build the skills and relationships that support future learning.
