Head Start-Child Care Partnerships

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ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING INITIAVES CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IS PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN HEAD START AND CHILD CARE. WE SHARE A DREAM FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD-TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-DAY SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS-AND WE'VE MADE GREAT STRIDES OVER THE PAST YEAR IN CARRYING THAT VISION FORWARD.

The process we've undertaken is not always easy. Developing new and creative strategies for providing full-day services to children can be a challenge. We must remember that both Head Start and child care brings its full-day experience to the table, and Head Start brings its comprehensive services and Program Performance Standards. We need to put these experiences together in a way that builds on these strengths and accommodates the diversity within the child care system.

We are also pleased to highlight HHS Secretary Donna Shalala's recent announcement of the head Start expansion initiative. Under the initiative, head Start expansion funds will be used for the first time to build partnerships with child care providers or to blend funds to provide full day, full-year services which meet Head Start Program Performance Standards. As Secretary Shalala asserted, we need to give our children the start in life that they deserve, and we need to support parents who are moving to work. The Head Start expansion grants can build new partnerships that will make these twin goals a reality for more families.

This issue of Head Start Bulletin explores current initiatives in Head Start-child care partnerships, along with other issues of interest to the field. We hope that you will find it helpful in highlighting models or in generating your own responses to the growing need for high quality, comprehensive, full-day child care services. We also encourage you to remember our mutual goal-to make it work for children and families. Within that vision lies the promise of success.

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