Create a Strong Foundation for Your Child:
Enroll in an Early Head Start Program

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Early Head Start program in Las Vegas

Early Head Start Programs

An Early Head Start program — also known as an Early Childhood education program, and is sometimes referred to as preschool — is where families can support their children by providing them access to an educational curriculum that focuses on social, emotional, and developmental skills during these formative years of life.

If your child is aged from birth to 3 years old, an Early Head Start program can help lay a solid foundation, in which they’ll build critical school readiness skills that can transform the rest of their lives.

That’s no exaggeration, either. The research is clear. Children who are enrolled in an Early Childhood education program, like Head Start, go on to have improved school readiness, stronger academic achievement, and a greater chance at positive outcomes in their teen and adult years. 

Additionally, children who have developmental disabilities, including cognitive impairments, like a learning disability, greatly benefit from an Early Head Start program because trained educators can help families identify developmental disabilities or delays early on, allowing children the ability to get the resources they need sooner. 

Want to learn more? Give us a call at 702-631-7130, and discover the Early Childhood education program at Sunrise Children’s Foundation.

What Is an Early Head Start Program?

You’ve probably heard of the term Head Start or Early Childhood education before, but it’s important to understand what these terms mean, and how they can serve your family. 

Head Start is a program for children that literally gives them a head start in life by supporting them through a structured, play-based curriculum that focuses on social, emotional, and developmental milestones. This is a federally funded program that supports children from birth to age 5. 

There’s also the distinction of Early Head Start. This is essentially the same federally funded program; however, it focuses on supporting children from birth to age 3. 

Early Head Start programs can operate out of several settings, including a traditional school facility, a home, or a family childcare setting, like a daycare. All communities are different, and the Early Head Start programs in your community will generally reflect the needs of the children and families in it. 

Early Head Start vs. Preschool

Another term that you might have heard alongside an Early Head Start program is preschool. Unlike Early Head Start, preschool often begins weaving in Early Childhood academic concepts, like counting and reading to help with school readiness. 

Another main distinction between the two is that you’ll find Early Head Start programs tend to offer services to children and their families as well. For example, families will be supported through resources, like parenting skills classes, access to health and nutrition services, like medical care, and well-balanced meals, along with access to different community resources, like low-cost child care, public assistance benefits and WIC, and the women’s, infants’, and children’s program.

What Age Is Early Head Start?

The Head Start program is available for children from birth to age 5. However, Early Head Start programs generally cater to children aged from birth to 3. After a child is 3, they will usually transition into a general Head Start program, or a preschool program — whichever fits your family’s needs. 

Who Is Traditionally Eligible for Early Head Start?

Publicly funded Early Childhood education programs were created to support underserved children and families along with children who might need more robust services to address their physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities or struggles. 

As a result, children who have issues with their health, wellness, and overall development are also able to qualify for Head Start if they meet the income requirements of falling below the federal poverty guidelines.

Why Is Early Head Start Important?

Early Head Start programs can help set up a child for long-term success. After all, the long-term benefits of enrollment in an Early Head Start program are much more prevalent and impactful than the short-term benefits. Children with developmental struggles are able to work on those delays, and create new neural pathways early on to help them work through physical and mental developmental disabilities.
The Early Head Start program also connects parents to valuable resources within the community as well. You can learn more about these resources when you visit Nevada’s Head Start program online.

1. Proof of Child’s Age Prueba de la edad del niño

  • Birth Certificate or Crib Card Acta de nacimiento o Tarjeta de cuna
  • Custody Placement Letter Carta de colocación de custodia
  • Proof of Pregnancy Prueba de embarazo

2. Categorically Eligible* categóricamente Elegible*

  • Custody Placement Letter or Guardianship Documentation* Carta de colocación de custodia o documentación de tutela*
  • Documentation of Homelessness* documentación de falta de vivienda*
  • TANF, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SNAP Benefits (award letter, picture of EBT card, snapshot of benefits, etc.)* Beneficios en efectivo de TANF, SSI (Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario) o Beneficios de estampillas de comida (carta de beneficios, foto de la tarjeta de EBT, foto o resumen de los beneficios en la aplicación, etc.)*

3. Proof of income (Provide all that apply. If you provided one from #1 and #2, you do not need to provide any of the items below because you are automatically eligible.) Prueba de Ingresos (Proporcione todos lo que correspondan. Si proporciono uno de los punto 1 y 2, no necesita proporcionar ninguno de los elementos a continuación porque es automáticamente elegible).

  • 1040 income tax return or all W2 forms from the previous year Impuestos o todos formularios W2 del año o anterior
  • Last three most recent pay stubs (including YTD) prior to appointment Los últimos tres talones de cheques más recientes (incluido el año hasta la fecha) antes de la cita
  • If you are paid in cash or self-employed, a written statement stating the following will be required: occupation, start date, work schedule, pay date/schedule, contact information of someone who can confirm and consent. Si le pagan en efectivo o trabaja por cuenta propia, se requerirá una carta escrita que indique lo siguiente: ocupación, fecha de inicio, horario de trabajo, fecha/horario de pago, información de contacto de alguien que pueda confirmar y dar su consentimiento.
  • Child Support (statement/ledger, court order documentation or written statement) manutención de menores (declaración/libro mayor, documentación de orden judicial o declaración escrita)

4. Purpose of Care (Child Development Centers only) Proposito del Cuidado (solo centros de Desarrollo infantil)

  • Adoption Subsidies Subsidios de adopcion
  • Foster Care Reimbursement Reembolso de cuidad de crianza
  • Identification Identificacion
  • Pension Benefits Beneficios de Pensión
  • School Schedule (minimum of three credits) Horario Escolar (minimo de tres creditos)
  • Social Security Benefits Beneficios de Seguro Social
  • Social Security Cards Tarjetas de seguro social
  • Unemployment Benefits Beneficios de desempleado
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How To Enroll in an Early Head Start Program

Across the nation, the process of applying for an Early Head Start slot is relatively the same. You’ll first need to locate a Head Start program that you would like to enroll your child in. Next, you’ll want to learn about the different programs to see which is a good fit for your family. In Nevada, you can use the Nevada Head Start Directory where you’ll find a list of all the participating Head Start programs in your community. 

Then comes the application process. You’ll need to have all your forms ready so you can complete and submit the Early Head Start program application. You’ll also be asked to come in for an interview either on the day you fill out the application, or once you turn it in. There’s a small waiting period that generally follows, and after a couple of weeks to even a couple of months, you’ll find out if your child has been accepted into the program, or has been waitlisted to find available programs.


As a federally funded program, priority for admissions is given to high-needs students. This includes children in foster care, children who have a disability, and those whose families are experiencing housing insecurity, food insecurity, and other adverse life experiences.

Start your child strong when you enroll them in a Head Start program at Sunrise Children’s Foundation. Give us a call at 702-631-7130 to learn more.

Sources:

Facts and Impacts. (2024).
Head Start Program. (2024). 

NHSA. (2024).

      Disclaimer: This website is supported by Grant Number 09CH-012358 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Sunrise Children’s Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.

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