Early Head Start

Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants or toddlers and for pregnant women. EHS was established in 1995 to serve children from birth to age 3, in recognition of the importance of the earliest years for children's growth and development.

The mission of Early Head Start is

  • to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women
  • to enhance the development of very young children
  • to promote healthy family functioning

How Can I Obtain Funding for Early Head Start?
Grants are often available to Early Head Start programs through state or local educational agencies. Visit the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Grant Opportunities Web site for more information on Early Head Start funding opportunities.

Early Head Start: Featured Products
Teaching Strategies is proud to offer resources designed specifically to support your work with children, families, and staff members in Early Head Start. In many cases, our products align directly with the early learning standards specified in federal funding requirements. Click the links below or visit www.teachingstrategies.com/expansion.

The Teaching Strategies Infants, Toddlers & Twos Room Set (English and Spanish) addresses curriculum implementation, assessment, and family connection for new programs.

The Teaching Strategies Infants, Toddlers & Twos Program Leadership Set (English only) specifically supports administrators and educational coordinators with off-the-shelf professional development resources and planning tools.

The Teaching Strategies Family Connection Birth-Age 3 Set (English and Spanish) offers a wealth of age-appropriate resources to involve families in their children's ongoing development and learning.

The Teaching Strategies Infants, Toddlers & Twos Digital Professional Development Set (English only) gives you off-the-shelf professional development tools when and where you need them most.

Teaching Strategies' eCDA program helps you earn your CDA and credit hours toward your B.A. from the comfort of your own home or office. eCDA is an online CDA preparation program made up of highly interactive exercises and expert instruction. Learn more.

See how The Creative Curriculum® aligns to the Head Start Outcomes Framework and the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Click the links below to view PDFs of the alignments.

Head Start/Early Head Start and the ARRA
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a funding increase of $2.1 billion for Head Start; $1.1 billion of which is for Early Head Start expansion. In addition, as part of the FY 2009 appropriations process, Congress has provided a $234.8 million funding increase for Head Start.

The additional funding available for Head Start will be appropriated in the following ways:

  • Cost of living increase: $325,577,000
  • Quality Improvement funding: $353,779,000
  • Head Start expansion: $219,612,000
  • Early Head Start expansion: $199,612,000
  • Increased T/TA funding: $30,820,000
  • State Advisory Councils: $100,000,000
  • Increased program support: $3,410,000
  • Centers of Excellence: $2,000,000

For additional information on ARRA's impact on Head Start and Early Head Start, including instructions on applying for funds, visit the Head Start Funding Increase section of the Administration for Children and Families Web site.

More questions about ARRA's impact on Head Start? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions document (PDF).