Dedicated to supporting families and strengthening communities

Jim Haugen Director of West Central

Minnesota Communities Action Head Start

West Central Minnesota Communities banana is sweet.”

Cuddle with your baby as you share a book. It doesn’t matter how young your child is; even newborn babies are learning when their parents read with them.

Your baby loves to hear your voice even if you think you can’t sing. The sound of your voice is comforting to your baby.

Young children learn best during playful, everyday activities. Play “I-Spy” in the grocery store together. Choose a color and encourage your child to point out objects that match the color. Point to the pictures, letters and numbers in books. Ask open-ended questions as you share the book together. What do you see? How does he feel? What would you do if you were her? What’s your favorite page? You can inspire a love of books and words in your young child by reading or telling a story together every day.

Early Childhood Education program working to fill need of childcare

By Joni Jacobson and Rondi Wussow ECED Instructors at ATCC

Are you having difficulties finding childcare? The Early Childhood Education program at Alexandria College is hard at work helping fill that critical need.

This year, nearly 25 ECED students will graduate, and they have big plans.

Three are in the licensing process to open their own Family Child Care business locally.

Several others plan to work or are working at childcare centers, preschools, or in schools in this area.

Finally, an additional group of graduates have been accepted to complete their final two years of a birth to 3rd grade teaching license bachelor degree.

Nearly all of our graduates plan to stay in this geographical area.

As instructors in this crucial program, we ask you to celebrate the highly trained professionals that care for and teach our community’s young children.

What better time to celebrate them than the Week of the Young Child? They truly are building brains each and every day.

Action Head Start is an early childhood program that has been dedicated to supporting families and strengthening communities in the region for over 50 years. This includes providing comprehensive birth to five services in 14 communities across seven counties in west central Minnesota. Head Start continues to be a vital resource for families, with an unwavering belief that every child has the opportunity to succeed. These are just a few of WCMCA Head Start unique early learning offerings and services:

Building Community

WCMCA Head Start works closely with a range of community organizations, including schools, health care providers, and nonprofit agencies, to ensure that families have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. Through these partnerships, the program is able to provide a wide range of services, including school readiness, health services, and family support.

Empowering Families

WCMCA Head Start recognizes that parents are a child’s first and most influential teachers and works to support parents in this critical role. This “Whole Child-Whole Family” approach is a central part of the program. Head Start encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s education and provides opportunities for them to volunteer in the classroom, participate in family events, and engage in program leadership and advocacy.

Individualized

Curriculum

WCMCA Head Start is dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow. Their research-based curriculum is developmentally appropriate, and is focused on building the skills and knowledge that each child needs to be successful in school and beyond. Teachers are highly qualified and receive ongoing professional development and support to ensure that they are able to provide the best possible education to their students.

Prenatal and Health Intervention

WCMCA Head Start also provides health services to ensure that children are healthy and ready to learn. This includes prenatal services to expectant families through their Early Head Start in-home services. The program ensures routine health screenings and exams. They also promote healthy habits and provide nutritious meals and snacks to children while they are in the program - all at no charge to families.

Creating Connection

WCMCA Head Start strengthens community among the families they serve. The program recognizes that families are stronger when they are connected to each other and provides opportunities for families to come together and build relationships. This includes family events, as well as opportunities for parents to volunteer and participate in their child’s education.

Through collaboration and partnership, West Central Minnesota Communities Action is making a significant difference in the lives of children and families in Douglas County and across the region. The program’s dedication to equity is a testament to the important role that early childhood education and support services play in building strong and resilient communities. For more information visit wcmca. com/headstart or call 1-800-492-4805.