Early Head Start

✓ Federally Funded

Comprehensive Support for Families from the Very Beginning

Early Head Start at Dixon Academy is more than a childcare program — it's a whole-family partnership. Free federal funding means eligible families receive world-class infant and toddler care, health services, and family support at no cost.

Birth – Age 3 Pregnant Women Eligible No Cost for Eligible Families Health & Family Services Included

Check Eligibility & Apply Book a Tour

Program Overview

The Science of Early Intervention

The research on Early Head Start is unambiguous: comprehensive early intervention for at-risk children from birth creates measurable, lasting benefits that compound throughout life.

"Early Head Start doesn't just change a child's trajectory — it changes a family's trajectory. That's the power of comprehensive support from the very beginning."

— Early Head Start Coordinator, Dixon Academy

Why Early Head Start Matters

Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman has documented what early childhood educators have known for decades: investing in children from birth to three yields the highest return on investment of any educational intervention. Early Head Start is that investment — and it's fully funded by the federal government for eligible families.

At Dixon Academy, our Early Head Start classrooms meet the same warm, responsive, relationship-centered standards we apply to every program we run. Federal funding and program requirements are the floor — Dixon Academy is the ceiling.

Who Qualifies for Early Head Start

Income-eligible families — household income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level (or up to 130% in some circumstances).
Children from birth through age 3 — including newborns, and extending until the child's third birthday.
Pregnant women — prenatal enrollment is strongly encouraged, as program services begin before birth.
Foster children — automatically income-eligible regardless of household income.
Children with disabilities — a minimum of 10% of slots are reserved; contact us to discuss IFSP coordination.

Curriculum & Development

Evidence-Based Infant and Toddler Education

Our Early Head Start curriculum is grounded in attachment theory, brain development research, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.

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The Heart of Early Head Start: Responsive Relationships

The Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework begins with a simple, powerful truth: responsive, nurturing relationships are the single most important factor in early brain development. Every classroom interaction, every home visit, every family meeting is designed to strengthen the bond between child and caring adult — because that bond is the foundation for everything that follows.

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Infant Care (0–12 months)

Individualized feeding, sleeping, and play schedules. Responsive caregiving, sensory stimulation, and language immersion from day one.

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Toddler Development (12–36 months)

Active exploration, language explosion support, toilet learning, emerging peer relationships, and growing independence through structured routines.

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Family Partnership Agreements

Families set goals together with their family support specialist — from employment to education to housing stability. We support the whole family, not just the child.

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Parent Education & Engagement

Workshops on child development, home learning activities, and parent advisory councils give families real voice and agency in the program.

Family-Centered

Your Family Is the Program

Early Head Start is designed around the understanding that parents are a child's first and most important teachers. Our program doesn't replace your role — it empowers it.

Every enrolled family is assigned a dedicated Family Support Specialist who builds a real relationship with your household, connects you to resources, and advocates for your needs. This is not case management — it's a genuine partnership built on trust and respect.

Learn More & Apply

Sample Daily Routine

A Day That Follows Your Child's Lead

In our Early Head Start infant rooms, we always follow each child's individual schedule. This is a representative framework for toddler classrooms.

7:00 – 9:00 AM

Arrival & Health Check — Warm greeting, health observation, settle-in time with primary caregiver. Morning sensory exploration.

9:00 – 9:30 AM

Morning Meeting & Breakfast — Circle with songs, books, and movement. Nutritious breakfast served family-style.

9:30 – 11:00 AM

Learning & Exploration — Sensory play, language activities, art, blocks, dramatic play, outdoor time. Individual nap per infant schedule.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Lunch & Rest — Family-style lunch, outdoor play (weather permitting), rest period.

1:00 – 3:30 PM

Afternoon Activities — Book sharing, music & movement, discovery activities, individual child focus time with teacher.

3:30 – 6:00 PM

Afternoon Wind-Down — Snack, quiet play, warm pick-up transition with daily report shared with family.