Early Childhood Education
Goals, Philosophy, and
Mission of the Early Childhood Program
The mission of the Early Childhood Program is to join with our community in strengthening families and improving the quality of life for children.
The Community Action Committee of Pike County Early Childhood Program promotes school readiness of children, ages birth to five, by supporting the development of the whole child. The program supports children’s growth and development in a positive learning environment through a variety of services which include early learning, health, and family well-being. The program offers two service models and is based on the needs of the community.
The center-based service model is offered at five locations throughout the county. Locations include the CAC Piketon site, the Pike County YMCA, Waverly Primary, Eastern Elementary, and Western Elementary. In addition to Head Start and Early Head Start, the program provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) classes for the Scioto Valley, Eastern, and Western school districts and child care for working families. All teachers have early childhood education degrees and are trained to implement a research-based curriculum. All children receive health and developmental screenings and receive individualized learning experiences.
The home-based service model assigns a dedicated staff person who conducts weekly home visits to children in their own home and work with the parent to promote family well-being. Group socializations are planned twice a month. Pregnant women can also enroll in the home-based service option to receive support and resource materials throughout pregnancy.
The Early Childhood Program is responsive to the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage of each child and family. Parenting and Kinship Support Group meetings are offered throughout the school year.
Reviews and Special Recognitions:
All centers are Step Up to Quality 5 star rated.
The Piketon and YMCA sites are certified as Ohio Healthy Programs.
Centers are licensed and inspected at least annually by ODJFS or ODE.
Federal Reviews in 2019 were fully in compliance.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
“Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.”
~Jess Lair
