Education
At Gadsden/Etowah County Head Start/Early Head Start, we are dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of young children from birth to age five, including services for expectant families. Our comprehensive program is designed to support school readiness by focusing on the whole child—cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. We offer a safe, inclusive learning environment where every child is valued, supported, and given the tools to thrive.
A cornerstone of our approach is the intentional focus on social-emotional development. We understand that a child’s ability to form secure relationships, manage emotions, and navigate social situations lays the groundwork for future academic achievement. Through nurturing teacher-child interactions, consistent routines, and age-appropriate activities, we help children develop essential skills such as self-regulation, empathy, problem-solving, and confidence. These competencies are critical for success in school and in life.
Our Early Head Start program serves infants, toddlers, and pregnant women, providing individualized support through both center-based and home-based options. For expectant families, we offer prenatal education, health and nutrition support, and connections to local resources to promote healthy pregnancies and positive birth outcomes. In our Head Start classrooms for 3- to 5-year-olds, children engage in hands-on learning experiences designed to build early literacy, math, and critical thinking skills while continuing to strengthen social-emotional competencies.
Across all program options, our team partners closely with families, recognizing that parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers. We offer family engagement activities, parenting support, and resources that promote family well-being and self-sufficiency. By investing in children and families together, Gadsden/Etowah County Head Start/Early Head Start helps build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and success.
Learning Through Play
We believe that children thrive and learn most effectively through active play. Our curriculum, Frog Street, is specifically designed to support this approach, fostering a playful and engaging environment where children can develop essential skills. Through carefully crafted activities, children practice listening, concentrating, managing their emotions, and building positive relationships with peers. These foundational social-emotional and self-regulation skills are key to ensuring every child is prepared to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
School Readiness
Our School Readiness Plan and Goals are carefully aligned with the Alabama Standards for Early Learning and Development, as well as the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework. We are committed to preparing children for success by fostering developmentally appropriate skills across all learning domains.
Family engagement is a key component of our program. Each year, our teachers conduct two Family Visits in the home and hold two Family Conferences at the school to build strong partnerships with families. These interactions allow us to collaborate with parents in supporting their child’s growth and development.
In our classrooms, we pride ourselves on having highly qualified educators. Each class is led by two dedicated teachers—Lead Teachers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, while Teacher Assistants possess at least a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential. In Early Head Start, both co-teachers are required to hold at least a CDA to ensure the highest standards of caregiving and instruction. Together, they provide a nurturing and stimulating learning environment that promotes curiosity, confidence, and foundational skills for lifelong learning.
In Early Head Start, our focus extends to meeting the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers. With a strong emphasis on nurturing relationships and responsive caregiving, we create safe and enriching spaces where our youngest learners can thrive.
We believe in the transformative power of early education and family involvement, equipping children with the tools they need to succeed as they transition through each stage of learning.