We provide birth-to-age five learning opportunities at no cost to qualifying families. Semcac Head Start participates in the Parent Aware Child Care rating system for licensed providers, and consistently achieves the highest rating, a 4-Star High Quality Program rating.
Early Head Start for Birth to 3-year-olds
We offer a home-based option in Fillmore County to eligible families expecting a baby and/or with children birth to three years. That means, we come to you! A trained educator meets with enrolled families weekly with a focus on parent-child activities, child development, and family well-being. Home visits are paired with social events for parents and children twice per month. Socials are an opportunity for parents to get to know each other, as well as provide an environment for the children to practice their newly developing social skills. Early Head Start programming is offered year-round, so we are always taking applications! Our Home-Based Educator is happy to assist you with an application, or answer any questions that you may have about the program. Feel free to contact Karen at (507)703-0556.
Head Start for 3- to 5-year-olds
We are relocating our Head Start classroom for children ages 3-5 to Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, in rural Lanesboro, for the 2020-2021 school year. This is the first phase of a partnership with Eagle Bluff, as they expand to form an Early Learning Center on their beautiful campus. For this coming year, the opportunity is open to Head Start families only, but will expand to include community families in summer camps and school year programming in the near future. The classroom will operate eight hours per day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday during the school year. Our study-based curriculum, The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, will take on new life as we transition toward more nature-based programming in our new setting. Eagle Bluff’s staff will team up with our staff to lead explorations around the grounds, offering their expertise in all things nature! Observation-based assessments will drive new learning opportunities in this rich environment, as children’s creativity and problem-solving skills develop naturally along with their curiosity for learning. Transportation is available through Rolling Hills from Spring Valley and Preston. If you’d like more information, feel free to contact Jenny Zawislak, lead teacher, at (507) 273-6387. We will have an open house on August 31 for anyone that would like to come and explore.
What makes Early Head Start and Head Start unique?
For over 50 years, Semcac Head Start has partnered with parents to support their role as the first and most important teachers of their children. We do so by engaging with families to support their learning goals for their children, and inviting them to participate in making decisions about our program, among other opportunities.
•Our staff is trained to provide education that best supports each child’s individual growth and development, including special needs and English language learners.
•We support healthy parent-child relationships and offer opportunities to build parenting skills that will strengthen families.
•Comprehensive services including medical, dental, nutrition, and behavioral supports are offered to support the well-being of each child. We promote healthy living for the whole family.
•We help parents connect to community resources that can help them reach their goals and strengthen the well-being of their entire family.
•Family members are encouraged to volunteer. Parents have the opportunity to advocate for their children and families. Parent leaders have a voice in key decisions that guide our program.
Ready to apply?
All interested families are encouraged to apply. Our focus is to serve families with limited income based on federal guidelines. Families receiving MFIP, foster children and homeless children are automatically eligible.
Apply online at www.semcac.org, or contact Lynn at Semcac’s Preston Outreach Office by calling (507) 765-2761. The Outreach Office is located at 515 Washington St. NW, Preston, Minn. 55965. Lynn meets with each family to determine eligibility and keep the process simple. She will let you know what family documents to bring.
Head Start Works! Let’s work together to nurture your child’s love of learning and well-being! Check out our website at www.semcac.org for more information.
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