The Early Childhood Programs include Head Start and Child Development classrooms for 3-5 year olds and the Early Head Start home-based program for 0-3 year olds. These programs are available free of charge to eligible families.

Head Start & Child Development

Head Start, a mainstay of the agency, has been in operation since the creation of NEICAC in July of 1965. Seventeen Head Start and Child Development classrooms are located in all 7 counties. Iowa Child Development at-risk grants fund the four Child Development classrooms, providing services modeled after the Head Start program. Combined with State of Iowa Wrap-Around Grants, many of the classrooms provide extended daily hours, 6 AM to 6 PM, to assist these families with working members or those needing to fulfill schooling and training obligations.

The Head Start and Child Development classrooms serve 3-5 year olds and their families. These classrooms serve their communities by providing nutritious breakfasts and lunches, health screenings; age-appropriate classroom activities, social services, and parent involvement opportunities to each of 287 enrolled children and their families.

NEICAC Early Childhood Programs’ dedicated teachers provide various opportunities for children to develop physical, social⁄ emotional, cognitive, and language skills. Teachers use the researched-based Creative Curriculum to organize their classrooms and to guide their planning of classroom activities. Positive Behavior Supports are used in the interactions with each child, ensuring that the children are cared for in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment.

Download a Head Start brochure PDF here

Early Head Start Program

NEICAC operates an Early Head Start program that provides home-based services to clients in Clayton and Allamakee counties. Early Head Start Home Visitors provide these services to low-income expectant mothers and families with children ages 0-3.

A major objective of the program is helping these parents become their child's first teachers utilizing the "Parents As Teachers" (PAT) curriculum. NEICAC’s Early Head Start Program has its base of operations in Monona. Eligible families are enrolled in this exciting home-based concept, with a ratio of 10 families per home visitor. Playgroups are held once per month to encourage the development of the children’s social skills. NEICAC has hopes of bringing this program to our other five counties as funding opportunities arise.

Download a Early Head Start brochure PDF here

Click here for more information regarding Head Start from the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center

Download the Head Start Public Report January 31, 2010