Head Start & Early Head Start Bennington County Head Start & Early Head Start We prepare children and their families for school through collaborative approaches to high quality education, health and social services. Bennington County Head Start/Early Start is a federally funded educational program for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years that has been providing early childhood/pre-k education in Bennington County since 1965. Staffed by caring, qualified professionals, the program specializes in education, school readiness, family engagement, and health and family services. Quick Links Who We Are What We Offer Apply Now Head Start Reports Head Start News Who We Are Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5, and Early Head Start serves children from 6 weeks to 3 years. Program services are at no cost for eligible families. Our classrooms provide a rich and educational experience, and the program includes health screenings, healthy meals and snacks, and both structured and unstructured play indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. Children with disabilities are welcome at Bennington County Head Start/Early Head Start. Space is reserved for children with special needs (hearing, speech, vision impairment, emotional or physical challenges). Bennington County Head Start/Early Head Start is licensed by the State of Vermont, administered by United Children’s Services division of United Counseling Service of Bennington County, and supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. What We Offer We offer services designed to meet each child’s (and each family’s) specific needs. The program follows the Vermont Early Learning Standards addressing children’s natural love for learning, building social and personal skills, supporting emotional health and building self-esteem. Head Start provides children with kindergarten readiness activities that help them grow socially, emotionally, and physically. Early Head Start utilizes a play-based model for learning. The program offers children and families a sense of belonging, support services, and a chance to be involved in activities to help your entire family. We believe that a parent is a child’s most important teacher, so we support parents in reaching their own goals and building better lives for themselves and their families. Education/School Readiness Universal pre-k partnership with supervisory unions serving Bennington County. Children learn skills for school success A variety of learning experiences, such as art, literacy, music, dance, language, number concepts, field trips, health and safety, nutrition, gardening, swimming, and outdoor play Parent-teacher conferences and home visits to keep parents informed and share information Developmental screening and evaluation Special needs services for children with learning and/or physical disabilities Head Start operates on a school-year schedule, with summer childcare programming available; Early Head Start operates September through mid-August Health Good health fosters growth and learning. Our program is designed to improve your child’s physical development, and identify health problems that could interfere with learning. Health services connect with lifelong health resources. Hearing, vision, and growth screenings Physical and emotional developmental assessments Tooth Tutor and oral health services Healthy meals and nutrition education Individualized informational assistance For Your Family We believe that a parent is a young child’s most important teacher, and we support parents in reaching their goals and building better lives for themselves and their families. Family Support Workers assist families in finding the information, resources and referrals they need. Community information and referrals Childcare financial assistance and referrals Networking with local agencies to provide assistance with individual family needs Community outreach activities Regular check-ins, including phone calls, on-site, or home visits Transportation Transportation for our Bennington and North Bennington locations is available for Head Start. Bus seating is limited and an application to determine eligibility is required. We can help with obtaining transportation for medical appointments. Family Engagement Parenting classes and workshops on topics such as budgeting, child safety, stress management, healthy cooking and more Volunteer opportunities on field trips, events, and in the classroom Family literacy activities Programs designed especially for dads and other male caregivers/guardians Opportunities to serve on committees Education/Curriculum Parent/Center Policy Council Health Advisory Family and Community Partnership UCS Infant and Toddler Center The UCS Infant and Toddler Center provides individualized early care and a safe and nurturing environment for children from six weeks to three-and-a-half years of age. Eligibility Eligible participants include children whose families meet the federal low-income guidelines — that is, whose incomes are at or below the federal poverty guidelines or who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) public assistance services. Other eligible participants include children who are in the foster care system or experiencing homelessness. Program may also accept up to 10% enrollment of over-income families, as well as a limited number of slots at each location of families not meeting eligibility criteria above community-based childcare slots. Head Start Policy Council Policy Council is a parent leadership board that oversees various aspects of the Bennington County Head Start/Early Head Start Program. Topics of discussion include: Parent Engagement Parent Center Committee Participation & Planning Events Review & Approve Program Goals & Objectives Review & Respond to Children’s Outcomes & School Readiness Goals Review & Approve Program Enrollment & Selection Criteria Monitor Program Performance, Ongoing Oversight & the Program’s Self-assessment Review & Approve Policies & Procedures Review & Approve Grant Budgets Participate on Program Committees (Education/Curriculum; Health Advisory; Family & Community Partnership; Budget & Fiscal; Nutrition/Menu Planning; Program Strategic Planning & Self-assessment) Review Program Complaints/Grievances Participate in the Hiring/Termination Process for the Program Director Policy Council Members Katelyn Mason, Chair Megan Oxendine, Vice Chair William Baldwin Sr., UCH Board President Trinity Borden, West Center Janel Burke, Secretary/Treasurer Anna Clark, UCS Infant/Toddler Center Amelia Clermont, Oak Hill Children’s Center Chris Raetz, Spring Center Stacey Sherman, Spring Center Crystal Coon, Spring Center Jennifer Peters, Spring Center Jennie Moon, CIS Early Intervention Director/Community Representative For Enrollment and Questions Head Start2 Park StreetNorth Bennington, VT 05257 Phone: (802) 442-3686Fax: (802) 447-3423 Apply now Locations For additional information about any locations call (802) 442-3686 North Bennington CampusPownal CenterSpring Center, BenningtonInfant and Toddler Center Partner Locations Forever Friends: (802) 447-8843Oak Hill Children’s Center: (802) 823-7839MPCC Monument: tel: (802) 733-0212 Head Start Reports Bennington County Head Start and Early Head Start is recognized and accredited for quality programs. To deliver high quality care and enrichment, we carefully plan and evaluate our programs. Here are some of the documents we use to improve quality and meet needs. Family Handbook and School Calendar The Family Handbook provides useful information, including our annual calendar for parents and guardians of children enrolled in Bennington County Head Start. Download School Readiness Goals The school readiness goals were identified in collaboration with the Vermont early childhood community as indicators of school readiness success. The goals can be viewed here. Download Current School Year Calendar Download Self Assessment Summary Report The purpose of the Self Assessment is to meet Head Start Performance Standard 1305.3- Determining Community Strengths and Needs. The information from this assessment is used to set long and short-term program objectives, determine services most needed, and provide governing bodies with relevant information about the service area. Download Community Assessment The purpose of the Community Assessment is to meet Head Start Performance Standard 1305.3- Determining Community Strengths and Needs. The information from this assessment is used to set long and short-term program objectives, determine services most needed, and provide governing bodies with relevant information about the service area. View the Community Needs Assessment for United Counseling Service at the link below. Download UCS/UCH Annual Report The annual report outlines the programs and services provided by United Counseling Service, including Head Start/United Children’s Services. You can view the most recent UCH Annual Report at the link below. View Reports Program Plan This document provides information regarding our annual self-assessment, component and administrative systems monitoring, and classroom monitoring. Download Head Start Program Information Report Download Early Head Start Program Information Report Download Non-Discrimination Statement In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail:U.S. Department of AgricultureOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax:(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email:Program.Intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Bennington County Head Start is recognized as a 5-STARS program for high quality early childhood education by the Vermont Agency of Human Services, and in addition to federal regulations the program also follows Vermont State Licensing Standards through the Child Development Division (dcf.vermont.gov). Additional informational websites include the National Head Start Association at www.nhsa.org and the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center at www.eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov. Head Start® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Related News & Events March 19, 2025 Head Start 60th anniversary celebration April 24, 2025 Early Childhood Services staff graduate from Early Childhood Leadership Institute April 16, 2025 Head Start provides needed supports for children and families View All Head Start News This website is supported by Grant Number 01CH011932-05-00 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 United Children’s Services and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.