Advancing School Readiness with the Office of Head Start's Multicultural Principles is a professional development tool designed to support programs in establishing culturally and linguistically competent systems and services. These resources guide staff in using culturally responsive practices when supporting children's progress toward school readiness.

Children and their families come to Head Start and Early Head Start rooted in a culture that gives them meaning and direction. The same statement is true of the staff and administrators who work in Head Start and Early Head Start. These principles were developed to guide Head Start/Early Head Start staff in meeting program goals and to serve as a framework for multicultural programming.

Head Start programs are effective when their systems and services support the cultural diversity of enrolled families. Furthermore, individual staff members must be able to demonstrate their respect for and respond to the different cultures in their community and among their co-workers. The following resource provides recent research and perspectives on key multicultural principles and offers guidance to staff on how to implement these principles in their programs.