Early Head Start
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Early Head Start is available to eligible families with children age birth to 3.
There are three options for EHS: classroom, home base, and child care partnership. Each has their own requirements and serves different situations.
9 hour rooms
(8 AM to 5 PM)
- For parents working 30 or more hours per week or going to school (in-person, with 12 credit hours) and need a minimum of 30 hours of care. The hours of 9am-3pm are free and there is an hourly rate before and after those hours.
- Requirement: Parents must apply for DHHS child care assistance.
7 hour rooms
(9 AM to 4 PM)
- For parents working 25 or more hours per week or going to school, in-person with 8 credit hours and need a minimum of 30 hours of care. There is no charge for these rooms so parents do not need to apply for DHHS child care assistance.
Extended
Hours
- For parents who need a more flexible schedule and work extended hours we offer Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships. We partner with local community daycares that provide Early Head Start curriculum for your child at little to no cost to you. Learn more.
- Only available in Eaton, Ingham, and Shiawassee.
- Home Base Option *
(Ingham, Eaton and Shiawassee Counties)
For parents and pregnant women that want and can commit to a weekly, 1.5 hour home visit.
The home visitors use a curriculum called Parents As Teachers which involves the parents in each home visit. The parent is the child’s first teacher so the parent and home visitor plan the home visit together. The parent does activities with their child, with coaching from the home visitor. Playgroups are offered a few times per month and the parents are highly encouraged to attend. The home visitor acts as a family advocate for the family as well. Each home visitor enrolls their families for their own caseloads.
*Currently, our home base program is running in a virtual setting. This means that each home visit is conducted in a way that fits for the family and home visitor. Some visits may be via zoom, google duo, FaceTime, or by phone call. As the weather changes, there may be an opportunity for outdoor home visits following proper distanced safety protocol that your home visitor can explain to you.