Find resources to help early childhood programs serve pregnant women and expectant families.

Head Start agencies that provide services to children and families must meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the requirements set forth in the Head Start Act of 2007. The Office of Head Start (OHS) also offers direction through Program Instructions (PIs) and Information Memorandums (IMs). More guidance is available to grantees through their federal program specialist.

Excellence in early childhood education (ECE) programs is built on a workforce that promotes continuous program improvement.

Across early childhood systems and programs, managers and staff must be prepared to enhance experiences for the growing number of young children who are learning their home languages and English.

Young children vary in their skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and abilities. Effective teaching requires individualized teaching and chances to learn for all children to access, participate, and thrive in early learning settings. Individualizing for children who need more support helps ensure effective teaching for children with disabilities and other special needs across all the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework domains.

Children experience many transitions, including from home to an early care and education setting, between age groups or program settings, and from preschool to kindergarten. Supporting these transitions is critically important..

Explore this topic for strategies and promising practices to support children and their families within Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships and other local partnerships, such as pre-K. Training and technical assistance (T/TA) staff and EHS-CC Partnership grantees and their child care partners will find resources about partnerships, family child care, and regulations and standards. Also find tools and materials around administration, research, and evaluation.

Health is the foundation of school readiness. To help children thrive, Head Start staff ensure that children are up to date on immunizations and their state’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) schedule, learn healthy habits, and can access the care they need. Head Start also promotes the physical and social and emotional well-being of families and staff.

Good nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy foods helps pregnant women and children get the nutrients their bodies need to stay healthy, active, and strong. Health managers and program staff can explore resources to support healthy eating habits and find nutrition assistance information to share with families.

Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease, but it's preventable. Children with dental pain can have trouble speaking clearly, eating, and learning. Use the resources below to promote a healthy mouth. Learn about proper toothbrushing and other preventive measures and how to find a dentist.