Early Head Start
& Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start are income-based, federally funded early childhood programs that promote school readiness through early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support. These programs are provided free of charge for children ages birth through five who reside in Teton County, Wyoming.
Early Head Start Program Details
Early Head Start serves families from pregnancy through age three with a home visiting program. Families will receive support with child development, with emphasis on parents as teachers. Home visitors come to the home once a week to work with parents and children. Additionally, families have the opportunity to participate in socializations twice a month with other program participants. Socializations focus on topics that support the wellbeing of the entire family, such as financial literacy, health, and school readiness. All services are provided free of charge.
Eligibility
Pregnant mothers and children from birth through age three who are from families with incomes below the poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start services. Children from homeless families, and families receiving public assistance such as TANF or SSI are also eligible. Foster children are eligible regardless of their foster family’s income. If there are more applicants than available spots, additional risk factors are also considered. Families must reside in Teton County, Wyoming to participate in the program. A CLC staff member will help determine your eligibility. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. We can accept a maximum of 36 children in this program.
Curriculum
The program uses the Parents As Teachers curriculum, which empowers parents to take the lead role in their child’s development.
Head Start Program Details
The Head Start program serves children ages three to five in two inclusive classrooms at our Mercill school. Children learn in a dual language classroom, four days a week, from early August to mid-June. Program curriculum is focused on kindergarten readiness, with an emphasis on the wellbeing of the entire family. Teachers work closely with families to assess progress and coordinate services, such as healthcare visits, translation services, and other community resources families need. All services are provided free of charge.
Eligibility
Children ages three to five who are from families with incomes below the poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start services. Children from homeless families, and families receiving public assistance such as TANF or SSI are also eligible. Foster children are eligible regardless of their foster family’s income. If there are more applicants than available spots, additional risk factors are also considered. Families must reside in Teton County, Wyoming to participate in the program. A CLC staff member will help determine your eligibility. Families who participated in Early Head Start do not automatically qualify for Head Start services and must reapply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. We can accept a maximum of 40 children in our two preschool classrooms.
Curriculum
The program uses Creative Curriculum, with an emphasis on student-led learning. Children are invited to follow their interests—individually, in pairs, or in groups—creating meaningful learning experiences through play, discovery, and connection.
Facilities
Mercill Campus
The Early Head Start and Head Start programs are based out of our Mercill campus. For Early Head Start, home visitors come into your home and most socializations take place at the Mercill campus. The two inclusive Head Start preschool classrooms are upstairs in the Mercill building.
145 Mercill Avenue
Jackson, WY
Enrollment
Required Materials
During the application process, we will ask for the following items:
- Immunization record
- Birth certificate
- Medical insurance card, if applicable
- WIC card, if applicable
- Proof of residence in Teton County, WY
- Income verification (taxes, pay stubs, W2, employer letter, etc.)
All of these materials will be taken into account to determine program eligibility and help generate our waitlist.
Contact Us
For more information about enrollment in the program, please contact Mariana McFarlane via email mmcfarlane@learningcenterwy.org or phone (307-734-3896).
Early Head Start & Head Start Staff
Yadira Sosa
Bears Preschool Teacher
Sonia Mendez
Bears Preschool Teacher
Sonia Hernandez
Head Start Coach
Mariana McFarlane
Family and Community Partnership Coordinator
Joyce Susano
Penguins Preschool Teacher
Jennifer Lopez
Penguins Preschool Teacher
Jaqueline Cuellar
Head Start Support Teacher
Hitzia Garnica
Early Head Start Home Visitor
Elsa Lemin
Early Head Start Home Visitor
Daniela Briceno
Head Start Support Teacher
Cristina Campos
Early Head Start Home Visitor
Cherie Flores
Data, ERSEA, Health & Nutrition Coordinator
Early Head Start & Head Start FAQs
Homemade breakfast and lunch is provided each day. We have a six-week, nutritionally balanced, rotating menu, which is updated seasonally. A nutritionist reviews the menu. We do not serve any peanuts in our classrooms and take food allergies and other dietary restrictions very seriously.
Students will need to bring an extra change of clothes and weather-appropriate outerwear. Each classroom will send a list of specific things to bring prior to the start of the year. We supply diapers and wipes for children who need them.
For Early Head Start and Head Start, the waitlist is always evolving, and based on qualification criteria.
No, you need to reapply and requalify for services between Early Head Start (pregnancy-age 3) and Head Start (ages 3-5).
For Early Head Start, families are eligible starting during pregnancy through age 3. For Head Start, children ages 3-5 are eligible.
Families can expect to spend 90 minutes with their home visitor on a weekly basis, and will also be expected to attend socializations twice a month for approximately two hours.
Early Head Start and Head Start services are provided free of charge to all families who qualify.
The size of our program is determined by our federally funded grant. For Early Head Start, we have 36 children enrolled at any given time. For Head Start, we have 40 children enrolled in one of our two preschool classrooms at any given time.