Headstart

[Kiki]

Can anyone tell me about the Headstart program for children?

My son was checked out by someone from the Headstart program because he likes to keep his head to the right and his muscles are getting kind of stiff. The lady from Headstart said that he could attend the Headstart center and receive some physical therapy and that it would be free to take both my kids there. If that's the case, I would be saving about $700 a month in daycare.

When I mentioned something to my mom about it she said this: "That's where poor people take their kids. Do you really want your kids to be there?" I told her that was a really shitty thing to say and that if it would save me $700 a month, I'd take my kids there if it was a good place for them to be. Seems like my mom always downs everything I say lately. I can't help the fact that I'm divorced and don't have a lot of money and have 2 kids to take care of. If I can save that money, my kids will be better off don't you think? (Sorry, had to vent!)

So, how about some info on Headstart.

[dlv]

The answer depends on what kind of people are poor in your area. I can imagine a situation where poor kids are OK, or I can imagine a situation where you'd rather pay $700/mo per kid to a daycare that doesn't accept welfare vouchers. You should be very concerned about putting your kids together with kids who are disturbed (perhaps because their mothers took illegal drugs during pregnancy) and might beat them up or bite them and infect them with some nasty bug.

[missdavis102]

I believe Headstart was originally envisioned as a way for disadvantaged children (poor) to get some of the skills needed for school before starting kindergarten (presumably they weren't going to pick them up at home). Nowadays, Headstart is a good idea for all kids who can get in. There's more structure than regular daycare so they'll learn skills they'll need, and since it's funded at least partially by the government there are a lot more regulations it has to comply with, so your kids would probably be in better hands than in a private facility.
I say go for it, and tell your mom to bog off, especially considering the savings to you.

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It may be that when an ornithologist says the Water Ouzel walks under the water, he only means that he has seen a Water Ouzel or some other bird sitting on a stone in the general vicinity of a body of water.
--Will Cuppy

[Rysdad]

I'd recommend that you visit the Headstart and see for yourself. I think you'll be OK with it. I've only seen one Headstart center so I can't I can't speak for them all, but the one I saw seemed well-run, clean, and like a good place for kids to learn to socialize while beginning their schooling.

Check it out. Talk to the staff, observe the kids, look at the facilities. Ask questions (nurse on staff?, number of kids per adult? meal programs?).

BTW...just from the little you've told us about your mom, well, maybe it's just that she just wants the best for her grandchildren. Is she concerned enough to help you defray the cost of your current daycare?

[DSYoungEsq]

Headstart is not just a program for the poor. Originally conceived as a way to provide extra help for disadvantaged children prior to entering school, it has in many locations expanded its mission.

My son was provided speech therapy under a Headstart-related program. Other interesting programs abound, different from area to area as needed.

Don't EVER feel any stigma for accepting help when needed, whether from a program for the 'poor' or not. A child needs all the help he or she can get. :)