Benefits of Head Start Program at Community Colleges
Sarah Barnes, a student at San Antonio College, expresses relief as her 2-year-old son, Samuel, is now enrolled in the Head Start program, alleviating a significant burden. Having child care conveniently located on campus has made her daily routine more manageable. She can easily check on Samuel between classes, easing her mind.
Anthony Francis for NPR
San Antonio College stands out with a dedicated building catering to young children, offering free child care programs funded by the government. These programs aim to enhance school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from low-income families, nestled amidst the college’s academic structures.
Inside one of the classrooms, Samuel, a lively 2-and-a-half-year-old, joyfully navigates a plastic slide under the guidance of his teacher. Sarah Barnes, pursuing Business Administration, faces the challenges of being a single parent and a college student simultaneously, managing a hectic schedule with multiple classes and appointments.
Juggling academic responsibilities and parenting duties takes its toll on Barnes, often resulting in minimal sleep to meet deadlines. The stress has even led to teeth grinding, necessitating a dental retainer. She is one of the millions of U.S. college students balancing education with raising children, a significant portion of whom are single mothers with limited financial resources.
Access to quality child care, like that provided by Head Start, is crucial for student parents, particularly those facing financial constraints. However, the lack of awareness and convenient child care centers pose challenges for many. Research indicates that such support can significantly impact degree attainment, yet only a fraction of community colleges offer on-site Head Start facilities.
The Impact of Campus Collaborations
A collaborative initiative between the Association of Community College Trustees and the National Head Start Association aims to bridge this gap by fostering partnerships between campuses and child care providers. Carrie Warick-Smith emphasizes the mutual benefits of such collaborations, facilitating easier commutes for parents, improving enrollment rates, and ensuring a quality educational experience for children.
Stephanie Perez, a former student at San Antonio College pursuing early childhood education, now leads a classroom of 2-year-olds on campus as a Head Start teacher. Her journey exemplifies the positive outcomes of such programs, offering support to both students and their children within the college environment.
Anthony Francis for NPR
Sarah Barnes’ experience underscores the transformative impact of discovering eligibility for Head Start, transitioning from juggling odd jobs and unconventional hours to having her son enrolled in a supportive child care setting on campus. This shift has not only eased her stress but also enhanced her ability to balance academic and parental responsibilities effectively.
The Connection Between Community Colleges, Head Start, and Child Care Centers
Community colleges and Head Start programs have the potential to benefit not only student parents but also the institutions themselves, including child care centers.
At Manchester Community College in southern New Hampshire, within a Head Start classroom, teacher Mary Powers empowers preschoolers aged 3 to 5 to choose their activities.
Connecting Community Colleges and Head Start Programs
As the teacher inquires, “Do I have two friends who would like to paint?” two eager boys enthusiastically volunteer, raising their hands in excitement until acknowledged by their teacher.
Head Start initiatives rely on 80% federal funding, with the remaining 20% sourced from the local community. Community colleges often contribute by providing unused space at minimal or no cost, meeting the budgetary needs of Head Start programs, fostering successful collaborations nationwide.
Barnes and her son kickstart their day with breakfast. While Barnes pursues Business Administration at San Antonio College, her son Samuel engages in a Head Start classroom on campus.
Next, Powers prompts, “Who would like to do the dollhouse?” A chorus of girls eagerly responds, followed by a headcount and assignment to furnish the dollhouse on the carpet.
Preschooler Andrea, sporting a shirt with a banana motif and the phrase “friends stick together,” hails from Dubai. Accessing preschool on a college campus has facilitated her family’s integration into the community. Andrea’s father, Adrian Tarape, aspires to enroll in automotive studies, drawn to the college’s offerings in Automotive Technology.
Carrie Marshall Gross, an early childhood education professor at Manchester Community College, notes the seamless connection between the college and the community. She highlights the ease of engagement with college resources, leading to enrollment in various programs.
Marshall Gross shares instances of parents enrolling in her early education classes, conveniently located adjacent to the Head Start preschool. The college’s proximity allows her students to observe preschool activities, enriching their learning experience.
Integrating community colleges, Head Start programs, and child care centers fosters a cohesive educational environment, benefiting both students and the community at large.
Addressing the Child Care Worker Shortage Through Strategic Partnerships
Community colleges commonly offer early education degrees and certificates. When a college hosts a Head Start program on its premises, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through lab work and work-study programs in the classrooms.
Across the nation, there is a significant shortage of child care workers. The practical experience gained in these settings serves as a direct pathway for students graduating from community colleges to enter the workforce in Head Start centers, addressing the workforce shortage in child care centers.
Community Colleges and Head Start Programs: A Path to Early Childhood Education
Stephanie Perez, a dedicated teacher, found her passion for early childhood education during her student teaching at various Head Start classrooms on the college campus. She expresses her love for teaching and the joy of witnessing children learn and grow daily.
Anthony Francis for NPR
Stephanie Perez’s journey into early childhood education began at San Antonio College, where she encountered former and current education students working in Head Start programs. At 23, she now teaches a classroom of energetic 2-year-olds after completing her student teaching at the college’s Head Start facilities. Her experience solidified her passion for teaching, leading her to secure a full-time teaching position upon graduation.
Stephanie reflects on her rewarding role, stating, “I’ve learned so much from being a teacher. I cherish the time spent with the children, guiding them through new discoveries each day.”
During her studies, Stephanie became a mother to her daughter, Daleyza. Through a professor’s connection, Daleyza became part of the Head Start program while Stephanie completed her lab hours. Stephanie fondly recalls checking on Daleyza in the adjacent infant room during her teaching sessions.
Today, Daleyza, now 3 years old, remains close by in the neighboring classroom. Stephanie humorously mentions, “I have a classroom full of kids to tend to, but I always make time to sneak a peek at what she’s up to.”
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