Head Start

About Head Start

Head Start is a federally funded child development program designed to provide comprehensive services to preschool children from low-income families. The program is governed by the Plano Independent School District and the Head Start Policy Council.

To qualify for the program, families must meet income guidelines established yearly by the federal government. Current funding provides 146 places for children per year. At least 10% of the enrollment opportunities are reserved for children with disabilities. Children must be three years old on or before September 1 of the school year to enroll in the center-based program; however, the Plano ISD Head Start program’s priority is to enroll four-year-olds. Applications for the upcoming school year become available each February. Information about completing an application can be obtained by calling (469) 752-7168.

Children and families in Head Start receive comprehensive services that include health, dental, nutrition, family wellness, education, disabilities and family services as a part of the federal guidelines. These services are managed by Head Start staff managers who support parents in their independent pursuit of goals and objectives.

Head Start partners with the Plano ISD PASAR program that allows parents to pay a fee to receive after-school care for their child.

Achievements

The program’s ongoing goal is to be an exemplary Head Start program in Texas as well as nationwide. During the May 2008 federal triennial review Plano ISD Head Start was awarded a gold certificate for 100% compliance of the federal performance standards. The program also scored 100% in the Focus Area 2 Review that was conducted in May of 2018.

Campus Programs/Parent Involvement Activities

Head Start Policy Council; Family Partnership agreements; Computers At Home; Computer Bus classes; Flag Football club; Pumpkin night; Soccer Club; Nutrition classes; North Texas Food Bank Cooking classes; Parenting Workshops; Mental Wellness meetings; Latino Family Literacy; Family Reading night; and Annual Family Picnic.

Community/Business Partnerships

Assistance Center of Collin County; Barnes & Noble; Bruce Cady; Canine Companions for Assistance; Annie Tinsley, Texas A&M / Agrilife Extension Services; Chamberlain Performing Arts; Chase Oaks Church; Collin County WIC; Collin College Early Childhood Education Department; Collin College Dental Hygiene Program; Collin College Dental Assistant Program; Custer Road United Methodist Church (Bed Start & Holiday Sponsorship);Family Education and Guidance Program; Frisco Rough Riders; Greater Plano Kiwanis Club; Growing As Parents Program; Harrington Public Library; Homewood Suites; Hope’s Door; Kappa Kappa Gamma Richardson Alumni Association; Kroger; Light of Hope Immigration Center; Marriott at Legacy Town Center; Metro Rotary Club; North Texas Food Bank; Once Upon A Child; Pepsico; Plano Army Recruiter; Health Services of North Texas including Plano Children’s Medical Clinic, and Plano Children’s Medical Clinic - Wylie; Plano ISD Education Foundation; Plano Fire Department; Plano Police Department; Salvation Army; Texas Health; The Kiwanis Club of Plano; University of Texas at Dallas; Ursuline Academy; Walmart; Watermark Urgent Care; and Parkland Community Care Outreach.

Find more comprehensive information on the Head Start website.

History of Head Start

Head Start began nationwide as a summer program in 1965, with its Plano program opening that same year. The program’s ongoing goal is to be an exemplary Head Start program in Texas as well as nationwide.