Head Start : Head Start Works!

Semcac Head Start is a high quality preschool program serving six counties in Southeast Minnesota: Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Steele and Winona. Our staff is family-focused—parents and teachers work together to plan activities that support each child’s growth and well-being. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Eligible families have children between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age. Our focus is to serve families with limited income based on federal guidelines. All interested families are encouraged to apply. Staff will work with each family to determine eligibility.

Children participate in a variety of educational activities that encourage a love of learning and lifelong healthy habits. Children receive medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy creative play in safe settings indoors and outdoors. Head Start helps all children succeed. As a result, children get along with others, solve problems, and are more confident. The children also improve their listening and speaking skills. Children leave Head Start more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning and ready to succeed.

Comprehensive Services

We work as a full-service support and development program offering services in four areas, which make Head Start both unique and strong. These comprehensive services are the best way to address the entire well-being of every child in the program.

Parent Involvement

At Semcac Head Start, we believe parents are their child’s first and most important teacher. We work with parents to strengthen their role as the primary decision makers for their children. Parents and staff work as partners inside and outside the classroom. Parents also may take part in trainings and be involved in activities to help their families as well as the program. Parents help set policy for every Head Start program through representation on parent policy councils.

Health and Nutrition

Physical and dental health screenings for children help families learn about their health needs and provide opportunities for follow-up care. Balanced and nutritious daily meals for children are served “family style” in a social setting. Outside professionals work with staff as a resource in the areas of nutrition and behavior guidance.

Early Childhood Education

All enrolled children take part in age appropriate activities to develop cognitive, social and emotional skills. When developed early, these skills encourage each child’s love of learning for a lifetime. Our program uses the Creative Curriculum—one of the most used curriculums by quality preschools. Teachers develop a weekly lesson plan that organizes activities around a theme. The lesson plan is posted in the classroom so that parents and visitors can review it at any time. Teachers also involve parents through Parent-Child Learning Activities to support the learning goals of every child. This involvement also encourages effective parenting, strong home-school relationships, and parent responsibility for learning outcomes.

Community Services

Head Start links families with community resources to help meet their self-identified needs. As a part of Semcac, Head Start staff is able to connect families to the agency’s many other programs. We also partner with other community agencies, such as public health, social services and Workforce Centers, to offer families referrals for other services that will strengthen their self-reliance in meeting their family goals.