{"id":22916,"date":"2025-08-18T09:15:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T13:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/?p=22916"},"modified":"2025-10-10T11:08:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T15:08:41","slug":"orange-county-head-start-helps-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2025\/08\/orange-county-head-start-helps-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Head Start Helps Families Build a Strong Start to School"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Orange County families gear up for a new school year, more than 1,500 children will be walking into classrooms with a special head start \u2014 literally.<\/p>\n

The Orange County Head Start<\/a> program provides comprehensive, no-cost early childhood education to children from low-income families. Spread across 23 locations \u2014 including public school campuses and County facilities \u2014 the program supports not just young learners, but their families too.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur approach to school readiness means children are ready for school, families are ready to support learning and schools are ready for children,\u201d said Avis McWhite, Senior Program Manager for Head Start. \u201cIt\u2019s about preparing the whole child \u2014 and the whole family \u2014 for success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

That preparation is rooted in school readiness goals based on the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards. The curriculum is aligned with the federal Early Learning Outcomes Framework and targets five key areas: approaches to learning, social and emotional development, language and literacy, cognition and physical development.<\/p>\n

But Orange County Head Start goes beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cSchool readiness goes beyond the child,\u201d said McWhite. \u201cWe partner with parents and caregivers, providing training and support so they can foster their child\u2019s development at home. That\u2019s how we help children thrive \u2014 not just in school, but in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a new school year begins, the program places special focus on smooth transitions into classrooms and routines. Each child\u2019s abilities are assessed early to tailor instruction to their needs. Families are also engaged right away, with support services that include nutrition, developmental screenings and goal-setting.<\/p>\n

Within 45 days of enrollment, each child completes a comprehensive set of health screenings, including evaluations for cognitive and motor skills, hearing, vision and nutrition. This early intervention allows staff to identify and address any developmental or sensory needs quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese screenings guide individualized instruction and referrals,\u201d explained McWhite. \u201cWe want every child to get the support they need to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

For parents who may be eligible, Head Start is a vital and often life-changing opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your family qualifies, we encourage you to apply,\u201d asserted McWhite. \u201cWe offer high-quality, no-cost education and wraparound services that give children a strong foundation for lifelong learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Orange County Head Start is not just a preschool. It is a gateway to a stronger future \u2014 for children and their families. For more, go to Orange County Head Start<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As Orange County families gear up for a new school year, more than 1,500 children will be walking into classrooms with a special head start \u2014 literally. The Orange County Head Start program provides comprehensive, no-cost early childhood education to children from low-income families. Spread across 23 locations \u2014 including public school campuses and County […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":22917,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-services"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOrange County Head Start Helps Families Build a Strong Start to School<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Orange County Head Start program provides comprehensive, no-cost early childhood education to children from low-income families.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2025\/08\/orange-county-head-start-helps-families\/\" \/>\n<meta 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