Special Needs Early Head Start (EHS)
Our Special Needs Early Head Start (EHS) program offers inclusive early intervention and individualized care for infants and toddlers ages 0–3, supporting children with developmental delays in a safe and nurturing learning environment.
What Is Special Needs Early Head Start (EHS)?
Special Needs Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded early childhood program designed to serve low-income families with infants and toddlers, including children diagnosed with developmental delays or disabilities.
Our program provides:
- Inclusive classroom learning
Individualized developmental support plans
Early intervention collaboration
Family support services
School readiness preparation
Children participate in age-appropriate activities while receiving the additional support they need to thrive.
Who can apply or qualify?
Children may qualify for Special Needs Early Head Start if they:
- Are between 0–3 years old
Meet Early Head Start income eligibility guidelines
Have a diagnosed developmental delay or disability
Have an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)
Are referred by an Early Intervention provider, pediatrician, or social services agency
Eligibility is determined through documentation review, developmental screening, and enrollment approval.
Age Groups We Serve
Our Special Needs EHS program serves:
Infants (0–12 months)
Young Toddlers (12–24 months)
Toddlers (24–36 months)
Children transition to a Head Start or preschool program at age three.
Developmental Support Areas
Individualized Development
Personalized care plans based on each child’s needs
Collaboration with therapists and specialists
Ongoing developmental assessments
Adaptive materials for inclusive learning
Structured daily routines for stability
Cognitive and Language Development
- Early communication and speech development support
- Sensory and hands-on learning specialists
- Ongoing developmental assessments
- Adaptive materials for inclusive learning
- Structured daily routines for stability
Social and Emotional Development
Building secure caregiver-child relationships
Encouraging positive peer interactions
Supporting emotional regulation
Promoting confidence and independence
Safe and nurturing classroom environment
How ro Apply for Special Needs Early Head Start
Applying is simple:
- Contact our center to begin the enrolment process.
- Submit required documents (proof of age, income verification, IFSP if available).
- Complete developmental screening or provide existing evaluations.
- Meet with our enrolment coordinator.
- Receive eligibility confirmation and classroom placement.
Our enrolment team assists families throughout the entire application process.
Agencies and Community Partners We Work With
To provide comprehensive early intervention and developmental services, we collaborate with:
- Local Early Intervention Programs
- Department of Human Services (DHS)
- Regional Centers
- Special Education Departments
- Licensed Speech Therapists
- Occupational and Physical Therepists
- Community Health Departments
These partnerships ensure children receive coordinated services that support their overall development and school readiness.
Why Families Choose Our Special Needs Early Head Start Program
- Inclusive early childhood education
- Individualized developmental support
- Experienced Early Head Start Educators
- Strong family engagement and communication
- Compliance with federal Head Start performance standards
- Safe, structured, and nurturing learning environment
We are committed to providing high-quality early intervention childcare services that help children with special needs reach their full potential.
FAQ
Our daily schedule for toddlers includes a mix of structured and free-play activities, art and sensory exploration, outdoor play, and age-appropriate learning experiences.
Our approach is play-based, emphasizing hands-on experiences and exploration. We integrate age-appropriate learning activities to promote cognitive, social, and emotional development.
We maintain open communication with parents through daily logs, providing details on feeding times, diaper changes, and any developmental milestones or activities.