South Central Iowa Community Action Program (SCICAP) Osceola’s Head Start is settling into its new location at 2500 College Drive, sharing the location with The Village Early Childhood Center.
Head Start moved from 2315 N Main Street over the summer, before the start of the 2022-23 school year.
“We felt this was a better location for the community, more on a main road,” said Lori Ferris, program director for SCICAP Head Start/EHS. “...[also] a better fit to be in an educational center that was specifically promoting early childhood.”
College Drive runs parallel to Highway 34, and is just off Interstate 35. Head Start’s former location was on the southeast side of the old Leisure Manor nursing home, which in recent years the owner has converted into residential units.
After several meetings between the director of SCICAP, Ferris, The Village executive director Crystal Hansen, and the board for The Village to discuss logistics and how a shared space would look, the decision for Head Start to make the move was finalized this past spring.
Shared space
While they are in the same building, Head Start and The Village are separate from one another.
Two rooms on the east side of the building are the Head Start rooms, and office space can be found inside The Village’s front office. The gravel portion of the parking lot along the east side of the building has been extended to allow for more staff and visitors, and Head Start is installing new playground equipment that will be available for use by children of The Village when not in use by Head Start. The Village is vending meals to Head Start, who follow the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines.
Head Start program
Head Start is a free preschool program that is based on income eligibility. It is a federal program, with no costs to families. Families who are on SNAP automatically qualify for Head Start, which is a new qualifier.
“We encourage families to apply so they can get on the waiting list. Even if we’re full, there’s a chance they can get in at some point,” said Ferris.
It’s a weighted application process, with higher needs families going more towards the top of the list.
The Head Start program helps children become ready to succeed in school through learning experiences tailored to their needs and abilities. The Osceola Head Start uses Creative Curriculum, which helps students develop skills in literacy, math, arts, and technology, as well as explore social studies and science concepts.
There are five Head Start locations in Southern Iowa - Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, and Wayne. The Osceola location provides before and after care in addition to the preschool services. They can serve up to 40 students in the three to five year age range; students are accepted throughout the year as they turn three years of age, instead of having to wait for the next school year.
All of the teachers and staff in the Osceola Head Start classroom returned this year.
“I think we have a solid team with Head Start here, an experienced staff,” said Ferris.
The lead teacher in each classroom has a four-year degree in education. There are three teacher assistants are in each room, allowing for more individualized activities for the kids.
“The ratios are outstanding,” said Ferris.
All staff go through a minimum 14 hours of professional development each year. The classrooms are also supported by a health and nutrition specialist, education specialists, a behavior specialist, and a mental health coordinator.
Head Start is an all-day program, Monday through Friday and follows the school calendar. They partner with Clarke Community Schools and Green Hills AEA to help special needs students with IEPs and IFSPs.
“We’re offering the same services as our old location,” said Ferris.
Head Start also seeks to support families, with goals for lifelong success of both the child and family.
Open House
An open house for Head Start is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. Parents and members of the community are invited to come see the new space.
“We’re excited,” said Ferris. “We’re hoping that the extra funding we’re providing will support The Village and the community in general.”