Ashland Head Start Center

Kno Ho Co Ashland CAC operates a federal Head Start site at 5 locations in the service area. Head Start is a federally funded preschool specifically for low income children ages 3 to 5.

Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.

Head Start programs are operated by local organizations, usually nonprofits, but not always. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They also receive free medical and dental care, enjoy healthy meals and snacks, and play outdoors and indoors in a safe setting. Head Start centers are required to meet all State and local licensing regulations.

Head Start provides children with activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally and physically while assisting them with school readiness.

The majority of the children served in Head Start are low income, below 130% of the national poverty guidelines. About ten percent of the children served may be above income and are selected based on need.

Kno Ho Co Ashland CAC currently operates half day Head Start programs at all 5 locations. Children attend for 3.5 hours per day, for 128 days during a school year. Classes typically begin in September and last until mid-May. Classes are held Monday through Thursday with Fridays available to staff for training.

Head Start teachers must have a degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field. Many of the teachers hold State of Ohio Teaching licenses. Assistant teachers must have a minimum of a CDA certificate, but many have taken college level classes in Early Childhood Education.

Kno Ho Co Ashland CAC Head Start centers participate in the State of Ohio’s Step Up to Quality rating system. All centers have been rated as 4 stars.

Ashland County Head Start centers are located in the villages of Sullivan and Loudonville in Ashland County and in the City of Ashland.

In Holmes County centers are located in the villages of Glenmont and Millersburg.

Children with disabilities are welcome in the Head Start program and may receive special services or therapies.

Some Head Start centers provide transportation by Licensed Ohio School Bus.

Additional Information: This facility participates in the federally funded Child Care Food Program, and meets USDA nutrition requirements for meals and snacks; Registered Day Camps register with ODJFS and are effective yearly beginning March 16 of every year; Quality Rating: 3 stars; Provider first licensed on 05/20/2009; Rated 3 Star.