About Head Start of Rockland, Inc.
Our History & Mission
It began in 1964 with Joan Bodger reading books to children in Nyack, attracting them with Tootsie Roll candy. Since then, Head Start of Rockland, Inc. has become the recognized leader in development and provision of preschool and early childhood education in Rockland County. Head Start has grown from one small school or program in Nyack to three direct run schools in Haverstraw, Nyack, and Spring Valley and several contract and delegate programs throughout the county. The agency is the grantee for federal funds earmarked for Head Start and Early Head Start in Rockland County.
At Head Start of Rockland Inc., we are dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education. Our mission is to support low-income children and families in Rockland County, ensuring that they receive the health, nutrition, and family services they need to thrive.
Programs and Services
Head Start of Rockland, Inc. and its affiliated preschools and early childhood education centers in Rockland County provide education and related services to more than 1,000 children and their families. Programs include:
- Head Start & Early Head Start, federally authorized and funded preschool and early childhood education for low income children ages birth to five in Rockland County.
- Early Head Start Home Base, an integrated program that provides families with Early Head Start services in the home setting where the mother is pregnant or there are children under 3 years of age.
- Pre-School Special Education, New York State approved special education, evaluation, therapy and integrated classroom programming for preschool children at sites in Nyack, Haverstraw, and Spring Valley.
- Universal Pre-Kindergarten, pre-kindergarten education in collaboration with Clarkstown, East Ramapo, North Rockland and Nyack School Districts.
- Child Care, full year and full day classes.
- Adult Literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for both beginning and i Intermediate students, particularly for parents of children attending Head Start.
- Parent Groups, a means to give participating parents an opportunity for empowerment, self-governance and parenting education.
Head Start of Rockland family workers conduct extensive outreach and education among low income families of Rockland County in the communities we serve. Parent Groups meet monthly for updates on school readiness and programs, as well as other education and community issues. In addition, we operate food pantries in Haverstraw, Nyack, and Spring Valley that are available to all Rockland County residents.