Policy

Review requirements around group size, caregiver–child ratios, service duration, and square footage for the center-based program option.

This standard outlines requirements for the home-based program option, including for settings, caseload, and service duration.

These requirements outline flexibility for Head Start designation renewal determinations in certain emergencies.

Explore requirements for settings, adult–child ratios, group sizes, service duration, and licensing in the Head Start family child care option.

Review the waiver requirements to operate a locally-designed program option that better meets the unique needs of a community or demonstrates an alternative approach for providing services.

Review the standards programs must follow to provide high-quality early education and child development services that promote cognitive, social, and emotional growth for all children's later success in school. 

This standard outlines elements of effective teaching practices, learning environments, materials and space, and promoting learning through approaches to rest, meals, routines, and physical development.

Programs must implement developmentally appropriate, research-based early childhood curricula that align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.

Working with each child’s parent, programs must complete or obtain a current developmental screening to identify concerns regarding a child’s behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, and emotional skills.