Katharine Irvine Day School

Head Start is a comprehensive child development program designed to meet the educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional needs of children and families. The program encompasses much more than what is generally thought of as a preschool program. The overall goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of "social competence" to children and their families. Social competence refers to the everyday effectiveness in dealing with both present environment and later responsibilities in school and life. Children and families leave Head Start more confident in their own abilities and ready to succeed. Nationally, Head Start began providing services in 1965 and is now available to children and families in counties throughout the country. Locally, Orange County Head Start, Inc. (OCHS) has been in existence since 1979 and currently services over 4,000 children. Head Start services are available to preschool children from low-income families at no cost. OCHS has centers located throughout the county. Contact your local Head Start office to see if you child is eligible to enroll. The overall goal of Head Start is to bring about a greater degree of “social competence” to children and their families. Social competence refers to the everyday effectiveness in dealing with both present environment and later responsibilities in school and life. Children and families leave Head Start more confident in their own abilities and ready to succeed.