OCO Head Start Pre-K Program Accepting Applications

FULTON – Parents throughout Oswego County have discovered the benefits afforded children participating in the Oswego County Head Start Pre-K Program.

Now you can help your children discover that experience for themselves by enrolling them now for Head Start’s 2020 – 2021 school year.

A program of Oswego County Opportunities (OCO), the Head Start Pre-K Program runs throughout the school year and serves children from each of Oswego County’s nine school districts, at seven centers. Head Start, which enrolls three and four-year-old children, provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to children and their families. The Head Start Pre-K Program, focuses primarily on low income families, and is offered at no cost to families and is currently accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year.

Since 1992 the Head Start Pre-K program has prepared thousands of children to successfully begin Kindergarten.

“The Head Start Pre-K program is focused on school readiness,” said OCO Head Start Health and Family Coordinator Toni Ross. “Using a research based curriculum that follows NYS Pre-K learning standards, our early education teachers use a variety of hands-on learning experiences that include the concepts of math, science, and literacy, combined with active play and nutritious snacks that assist children in developing academically, socially, and emotionally.”

Each Head Start Pre-K classroom has a teacher with either a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree in education, a teaching assistant, and a classroom aide to provide a small teacher-child ratio. Family advocates and a nurse are also on staff to work closely with parents and caregivers and provide them with information, support, and other services.

Recognizing that parents are a child’s first and primary teacher, Head Start encourages parents to be involved in all areas of their children’s education. The program offers parents the opportunity to share in the Head Start experience. Through volunteering, being involved with parent committees and attending education workshops, parents are engaged in their children’s education.

“Head Start teaches children how much fun learning can be, how to work together as a team and the importance of responsibility” added Ross. “Reliable studies have found positive long-term effects with lower rates of grade repetition and special education placement, as well as increased high school graduation rates for Head Start graduates. Head Start children are also significantly more likely to attend college than their siblings who did not attend Head Start. I encourage parents seeking a quality pre-kindergarten program for their three or four year old children to discover the benefits of the Head Start Pre-K program.”

OCO’s Head Start Program is currently accepting applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Apply online at www.oco.org/education-services/head-start-upk or via phone by calling 315-598-4711.  An OCO Family Specialist will contact you to complete the application.

Did you know? OCO is here for you, providing 50-plus services that you can access safely and securely. Check our website for updates on program schedules and community resources to help you get through this difficult time: https://www.oco.org/covid-19-updates Call our hotline 1-877-342-7618 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday for assistance with basic needs. #OCOHere4You.

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