Give Your Child
an Early Head Start

A parent is a child’s first and most important teacher. By partnering with Early Head Start during the first three years of a child’s life parents and caregivers can nurture a child’s development and create stronger family bonds. Early Head Start encourages the growth and development of infants and toddlers through a strong foundation of social-emotional competence for lifelong learning.

Early Head Start is available to pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers until age 3. Our Early Head Start program provides comprehensive early childhood education to income-eligible children and their families, from birth to age 3, at no cost to families. EHS combines parent involvement, education, health and social-emotional wellness services (including for women before, during, and after pregnancy), and services to children with disabilities. Our program emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher and enriches the lives of children and their families by working with each family’s individual needs.

*The online application is  temporarily unavailable for the 24-25 school year. You may download a paper application or pick one up from our office.  If you are interested in applying for the current school year (23-34), our team is available to assist you. Contact us at 910-938-0336 and ask to speak to Caron Schienle for information on how to submit an application for the current school year. If you are looking to apply for our expectant family/pregnancy services, please click the button on the right hand side of the page to submit your information.  Thank you for considering our programs as your choice for early childhood education. 

QUICK LINKS

Download a Paper Application

Comprehensive Services: The Foundation of Head Start
How to Apply

Early Head Start Referrals
Early Head Start CCP Site Selection
Early Head Start Annual Reports

 

OUR PROGRAMS

  1. Center-Based Services

    In partnership with Excel Learning Centers in Jacksonville, Richlands, and Swansboro, our center-based services are available to children from 6 weeks to 3-years-old. Children are in a classroom setting Monday through Friday. A primary teacher is assigned to no more than four children and classrooms are limited to eight or nine children. Through planned learning, activities, and play, children are better prepared to enter kindergarten with increased social-emotional skills.

  2. Home-Based Services

    Our home-based program is available to expectant (pregnant) women and their families to provide information about healthy pregnancies, developmental milestones, and the importance of early care and education while strengthening the five protective factors for families. Enrolled families receive one 90-minute visit each month using the Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum. Topics include prenatal health and healthy birth outcomes, bonding and attachment, infant mental health, family stability, and economic self-sufficiency.

how to

apply

A

APPLY TO OUR EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM

Use the link below to apply online.

B

BE PREPARED

Have the following documents ready to submit:

  • Copy of child’s birth certificate or Medicaid card
  • All sources of family income for the past 12 months. Provide all that apply: 2022 Tax Form 1040, W-2, letter from employer, pay stubs, child support verification, SSI/TANF letter
  • If Applicable:
    • Disabilities/IFSP documents
    • Foster/kinship care documentation
    • Legal guardian/custody papers

C

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility is based on income at or below the poverty level. Families in other situations – including homelessness, children in foster care, or receiving SNAP, SSI or TANF are categorically eligible for EHS services, regardless of income. Children with identified disabilities may also be eligible.


APPLY NOW

*The Early Head Start online application is temporarily unavailable. Staff are working diligently to address the issue.  You may download a paper application or pick one up at our office. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Please follow us on social media for updates regarding the online application.

Families that submit their online applications and supporting documentation will receive follow-up email communication for next steps from our staff. BE SURE TO INCLUDE CORRECT EMAIL AND TELEPHONE CONTACT INFORMATION on your application.
For assistance, contact Caron Schienle at caron.schienle@oneplaceonslow.org.

Early Head Start Annual Reports