Head Start

Click here to begin the Head Start & Early Head Start registration process online.

Head Start is a federally funded program offered to families who have a child 3-5 years of age and who meet income guidelines within the counties of Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau and Sauk. We believe all families need and deserve support and respect as their child’s first teacher. We strive to meet all the developmental needs of children and families including educational, health, nutrition, social-emotional, emotional, and special needs concerns. We assist families in gaining the opportunities they need to succeed through linking families to community resources and continuous parent involvement. School readiness preparation and parent/family engagement are key concepts of the Head Start Program.

Head Start is FREE to families who meet federal income guidelines, and offers two program options:

Center Based Program:
Children attend classes 4 days per week in a developmentally appropriate classroom geared to address the individualized needs of each child. Classrooms operate from September through mid-May. Home visits also are offered through the program year.
Home Based Program:
A teacher visits the family’s home on a weekly basis to assist the parents in planning and implementing activities designed to enhance school readiness skills and other developmentally appropriate skills in their children. Group activities or play groups are provided weekly for families to participate in.

Free Services Provided:

Individual & group activities to encourage learning, social & emotional experiences and their overall development.
“Family Fun Night ” evenings for the entire family to participate in family activities and to share a meal.
A complete screening program to detect medical or dental concerns as well as vision and hearing concerns which greatly reduces problems at home and school because of early detection.
Meals, snacks & nutritional information.
Opportunities to be involved in and to learn about your child’s behavior and emotional well-being.
Transportation is provided based on the family’s distance from our Head Start Center.
Children with disabilities, including significant disabilities, have an opportunity to fully participate in the program.

Parent Involvement…

Parents are the backbone of our Head Start program. They Volunteer their time in the program, and are directly involved in their child’s development. Parents have a direct involvement in decision making and planning through the Policy Council. They participate in the activities they have helped to plan. We provide opportunities for parents to continue their own development by offering workshop training, and limited financial assistance for continued education. We know being a parent is a lot of hard work and only you know what it is like for you and your child.

Click here for a list of Renewal Unlimited’s local Head Start sites.

Information and helpful resources are available online:

The information provided here does not reflect a complete description of programs or eligibility requirements. Guidelines for eligibility may vary by grant and by year. Please contact the program administrator for complete details.