Columbia Child Development Program Head Start, or CCDP Head Start, serves pre-school children between the ages of 3 and 5 throughout Columbia county.
We have centers in Bloomsburg, Benton, and Berwick.
We have centers in Bloomsburg, Benton, and Berwick.
About our Head Start Program
Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages 3 to 5 from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. Children from families whose income fall within the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines are given first priority for enrollment. Eligible children are those who turn 3 before September 1st.
Head Start provides comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families that include health, nutrition, mental health, parent involvement, and social services. Head Start also provides for the special needs of children with disabilities and severe disabilities. Head Start can also help working parents obtain additional child care services when needed.
Applications are welcomed all year round. There is no charge for families who are accepted into the Head Start Program.
Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child's first and most important teacher. Parents are encouraged to participate in the governing body of Head Start (Policy Council), in the classroom, and in the many special functions that are a part of the program.
Please call 570-784-1076 for program information and/or registration. You may also complete the Head Start Pre-Enrollment Form online.
Head Start Philosophy
The Columbia Child Development's Head Start Program strives to provide a nurturing atmosphere which gives respect and support, yet empowers children, parents and staff to reach for and obtain success that benefits themselves and their community.
The Head Start program is built on the premise that all children share certain needs, and that children of low income families, in particular, can benefit from a comprehensive developmental program. By providing a wide range of medical, dental, nutritional, educational and social service assistance, many basic needs can be met. Intervention services, if needed, can begin earlier to help children become more successful.
Through an integrated classroom, the Head Start staff works to bring about:
The CCDP Head Start educational program is designed to meet each child's individual needs and builds on existing strengths.
The curriculum focuses on developing the whole child to their fullest potential intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. The staff views each child as an active learner creating her/his own knowledge through experimentation and exploration. In this child-centered approach, lessons and activities are planned around age appropriate skills and children's interests. Children spend a majority of their day visiting various learning centers. Children are provided with many choices of activities, which range from simple to complex.
The Head Start staff believes that through interactions with realistic three-dimensional objects and first-hand experiences, children will construct an understanding of the world around them.
The Head Start program is built on the premise that all children share certain needs, and that children of low income families, in particular, can benefit from a comprehensive developmental program. By providing a wide range of medical, dental, nutritional, educational and social service assistance, many basic needs can be met. Intervention services, if needed, can begin earlier to help children become more successful.
Through an integrated classroom, the Head Start staff works to bring about:
- The improvement of the child's health and physical abilities.
- An increase of self confidence, spontaneity, curiosity, and self-discipline which will assist in the healthy development of the child's social and emotional health.
- The enhancement of the child's mental processes and skills with particular attention to communication skills
The CCDP Head Start educational program is designed to meet each child's individual needs and builds on existing strengths.
The curriculum focuses on developing the whole child to their fullest potential intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. The staff views each child as an active learner creating her/his own knowledge through experimentation and exploration. In this child-centered approach, lessons and activities are planned around age appropriate skills and children's interests. Children spend a majority of their day visiting various learning centers. Children are provided with many choices of activities, which range from simple to complex.
The Head Start staff believes that through interactions with realistic three-dimensional objects and first-hand experiences, children will construct an understanding of the world around them.
Head Start Centers
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Bloomsburg:
Bloomsburg Children's Center 215 E 5th St. Bloomsburg, PA 17815 570-784-8618 Town Park Village Center 1310 Ferry Rd Bloomsburg, PA 17815 570-784-8570 |
Benton:
Benton Head Start 602 Green Acres Rd Benton, PA 17814 570-925-2204 Berwick: Berwick Head Start 116 Columbia Ave Berwick, PA 18603 570-759-2255 |
For other sources of Head Start information:
Head Start Brochure
Office of Head Start - US Dept. of Health & Human Services
Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center
National Head Start Association
Pennsylvania Head Start Association
Project Fresh - Head Start
Head Start Brochure
Office of Head Start - US Dept. of Health & Human Services
Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center
National Head Start Association
Pennsylvania Head Start Association
Project Fresh - Head Start
Providing the building blocks that children need to be ready for school.
Columbia Child Development Program
Child Care 570-784-8618 Head Start 570-784-1076
Child Care 570-784-8618 Head Start 570-784-1076
This website is supported by Grant Number 03CH011608 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Columbia Child Development Program and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.