Response:

The Head Start Program Performance Standards do not specifically require full-day/full-year services, but they do require continuity of care that provides services to infants and toddlers with the least disruptive and most stable ongoing care.
 
“Given the continuity of care [needed for optimal outcomes] for pregnant women, and infant and toddler age children, the Office of Head Start … anticipates [programs] serving children in a full-year model” (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Early Head Start Expansion, Program Background and Purpose, 2).
 
Programs should consider how to best provide full-day/full-year EHS services for their community. The hours of service provided by an Early Head Start program should reflect the needs of the children and families within the community and be based on the Community Assessment. Moreover, programs should be flexible and strive to meet families’ individual needs.

 
The Tip Sheet is not a regulatory document. Its intent is to provide a basis for dialogue, clarification, and problem solving among the Head Start Bureau, Regional Offices, TTA consultants, and grantees.

See PDF version:
     Are Early Head Start Programs Required to Provide Full-day/Full-year Services? What is the Working Definition of Full-day/Full-year? [PDF, 33KB]