FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 7, 2021

CONTACT: Ellen M. Ganley, Director of Development

EGanley@wcac.net 508-762-9807

SOUTHBRIDGE/WEBSTER, MASSACHUSETTS: Worcester Community Action Council's Head Start program is actively recruiting with enrollment now available for fall 2021 for children birth to age 5. The center based preschool program for ages 3-5 is available in Southbridge and Webster, while a home based program serves expectant mothers and children from birth to age 3.

Head Start offers a dynamic program to get young children ready for Kindergarten, with a strong focus on language, literacy, social and emotional development. Breakfast, lunch and a healthy snack are served daily, with both full-day and half-day, year-round and school-year classrooms available. WCAC operates a total of ten classrooms - six located at 25 Cole Avenue in Southbridge and four at 116 School Street in Webster. All classrooms are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), with services provided at no charge to families meeting income-eligible guidelines.

The Early Head Start program provides comprehensive services within a family's home with developmentally appropriate activities, weekly home visits and group socializations to ensure a baby is achieving milestones. With a focus on involving the parent or the primary care giver in the education of their child, weekly home visits provide the opportunity for parenting support, education as well as community referrals. Early Intervention services are provided when needed.

WCAC Executive Director Marybeth Campbell noted that the agency has been operating Head Start programs in southern Worcester County for more than a quarter of a century. "WCAC has a long history of providing high quality education and care for children and families. While many aspects of life remain uncertain due to the ongoing pandemic, we want the community - particularly families with age-eligible children - to know that we stand ready to continue to provide a dynamic curriculum wrapped in supportive and caring services, in a safe and nurturing environment," Campbell said.

WCAC's early education and care programs are presently operating at a reduced capacity for social distancing purposes and in adherence to all public health and safety guidelines. Forced to close in March 2020 when the COVID19 pandemic first struck, WCAC's classrooms reopened in June and have been serving approximately 100 children ever since. Dependent upon the state's ever changing Early Education and Care guidelines, WCAC hopes to return closer to its licensed capacity of 203 come fall.

WCAC's program openings are available for income eligible families residing in Brookfield, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, E. Brookfield, Leicester Millbury, Oxford, Spencer, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Warren, and Webster. WCAC's early education and care programs are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 

Additional details about the programs as well as an online pre-application are available at www.WCAC.net/HeadStart