DRAKE UNIVERSITY HEAD START
Drake University Head Start, including Early Head Start, is the largest Head Start grantee in the state of Iowa and one of only a few university-based Head Start programs in the nation. Drake University Head Start serves families with children from birth to age three through the Early Head Start program and children ages three and four and their families through the 3 and 4-year-old preschool program, including children with disabilities.
What does the Drake University Head Start 3 and 4-year-old program offer?
The 3 and 4-year-old program currently serves more than 900 children within 6 counties: Polk, Jasper, Marion, Boone, Warren, and Story (Ames only).
Low teacher/student ratios and individualized instruction are offered in each center. Drake University Head Start teachers have earned four-year teaching degrees and are licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
Drake University Head Start home visiting program offers families weekly, 90-minute visits which provide families with education and strategies to enhance learning at home. Each month, Head Start home visiting families are invited to socialization opportunities for social-emotional enrichment with peers.
Head Start is a school readiness program. It includes the components of Social/Emotional, Math, Physical, Language, Literacy, and Cognitive developmental areas. Literacy is a strong component of the program and family literacy services are offered to Head Start children and their families.