Enrollment applications are open at Head Start/Early Head Start of Bennington County

Head Start/Early Head Start is now accepting applications for children ages six weeks to five years for summer enrollment and the 2024-2025 school year at its locations in North Bennington, Bennington, and Pownal, VT. Enrollment in Head Start includes expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility, new community-based slots, childcare financial assistance, bus transportation, and a pre-kindergarten partnership with the Southwestern Vermont Supervisory Union. Families interesting in enrolling children in Head Start/Early Head Start can apply at ucsvt.org or reach out to April at 442-3686 or adunham@ucsvt.org.

Head Start/Early Head Start provides many services and benefits to young children and their families such as skill-building for future school success, developmental screenings and evaluations, summer programs, health screenings, oral health exams, healthy meals, parenting classes, and early childcare. School readiness goals at Head Start/Early Head Start focus on literacy, mathematics, and approaches to learning, and focus heavily on social and emotional development. Data from 2023 shows that the average preschooler who attended Head Start increased their academic performance by an average of 31-43% in all areas. Children enrolled in the Head Start program receive the support and education they need to enter kindergarten.

Bennington County Head Start/Early Start is a federally funded educational program for children ages six weeks to five years providing early childhood/pre-k education in Bennington County since 1965. Head Start is proud to employ Tammy Gosley, recognized by the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children as the 2023 Early Childhood Educator of the Year.