Early Education
What is Head Start?
CACS, Inc. Head Start and Early Childhood Programs in Michigan is a comprehensive preschool program serving low income children ages birth to 5 years old. We serve 1761 children in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton and Shiawassee counties each year. Our mission is to support families and prepare children for success in school and in life.
CACS Head Start stands in solidarity with our communities of color; our black and brown communities and all who are impacted by violence and injustice. We will not ignore the impact of structural racism that OUR families, OUR staff and OUR partners continue to experience.
Head Start was founded on the principles of equality, inclusivity, and opportunity for all children. Now more than ever we are committed to these principles each and every day in everything we do. CACS Head Start classrooms welcome young children and their families to a place where they are valued, celebrated and cared for. It is our unwavering belief that ALL children deserve a future filled with hope and opportunity.
our Curriculum Philosophy
The preschool years, 0-6 are foundational years for all human growth and development. This is a critical period in life for developing patterns that will help a child succeed in school and life. It is a time when children learn a great deal through indirect as well as direct teaching; therefore, it is important to create an environment which allows for both types of learning. Children learn through exploration, play and active involvement with their environment. Skilled teaching staff facilitate optimal learning through close relationships with each child, respecting the uniqueness of each family. At CACS Head Start we have based our instruction off the Creative Curriculum theory.
Our activities are focused on eight areas of learning; language, literacy, mathematics, science, approaches to learning, physical health and development, social emotional and creative arts. We believe each activity allows for individual differences in children to fit their needs, such as children with Special Needs and Dual Language Learners.
CACS recognizes children are most strongly influenced by their home environment and caregivers. We provide ongoing support and education to families to facilitate their role as their child’s first and primary teacher. We keep parents informed of their child’s development and promote their active participation in the program. We encourage each child’s natural curiosity in learning and the exploration of their environment. We promote and sustain the development of each child’s self-esteem and confidence, and view social problems as opportunities for growth in both parent and child.