Research shows that what happens during the first five years of life is critical to healthy child development. Head Start’s comprehensive focus on the five core domains of birth to 5 development is essential to children getting ready for school.

Head Start programs offer services that support families and strengthen communities so that children are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. They focus on early identification, treatment, and health promotion. Staff use these health strategies to make sure children engage in learning. They are critical parts of Head Start’s school readiness activities.

Program leaders plan health services that help children meet school readiness goals. They use many different strategies to identify health concerns, offer timely treatment, and promote children’s health. Including these strategies in school, readiness planning ensures children are healthy, safe, and ready to learn.