Head Start Program Standards
Target Group
Head Start is intended to reach children from birth to six years (and their families). While programs may develop in stages, eventually the project should reach the full 0–6 year age range.
Linkages
Head Start funds are meant to be integrated with existing services. Therefore it is important to collaborate with existing community programs, target Head Start funds to address gap areas, and build on what is already working well.
Outreach
Reaching out to children and families is central to Head Start philosophy. Whatever model of delivery is used, ideally the program should also offer home visiting and outreach programming to families who are not accessing centre-based services.
Flexibility
Head Start projects should be flexible and responsive to community needs. All Head Start sites should work from their own unique vision, continually evaluating and re-evaluating community needs, asking, “Is this program delivery model working for us?” “Is it structured in a way that best meets our needs?” Project renewal time is a built-in opportunity for reflection and re-evaluation.
Accountability and Management
Head Start projects must ensure that children, families, parents/guardians and staff are treated fairly, that decisions are not influenced by private or personal considerations, and that the project will be delivered efficiently and economically. The purpose of being accountable is to demonstrate to the community that you are acting in the best interests of the children, families and community. Accountability measures include:
- Establishing management structures with community representation
- Ensuring that management structures oversee the project management, including reporting of expenditures
- Developing ways to ensure that a project is accountable, such as (a) a formalized Code of Conduct and a Code of Ethics for employees, Boards and employees, (b) Conflict of Interest guidelines and policies, (c) a Policy and Procedures manual Reporting informally on project activities to the community (i.e. regular meetings, newsletters, strategic planning sessions)
- Reporting on project activities to government, including maintaining detailed financial records in keeping with accepted accounting practices and submitting reports to Health Canada
- Ensuring the project is independently evaluated