I have two kids who have gone through Head Start. My oldest in now in 2nd grade. This kiddo here, Xander is finishing up his 2nd year of Head Start. He was in the EHS Home Visit program and is finishing up his first year in a HS classroom. This year has been AMAZING!
He is in class for 3.5 hours (at the same time as his sister is in school) which gives me time to get grocery shopping done without kids in tow, work on my home crafting business without kid interruptions, take a nap on days I am just overly exhausted. I can clean the house with music blasting not having to worry about it being too loud for the kids, go to the bathroom without a child walking in, and watch tv shows that I want to watch without having to worry if it is appropriate for my kids. I get a few hours 4 days a week to do things I need to get done without the kids around and do things for me. Some days those 3.5 hours doesn’t feel like enough, but then I think about what if I didn’t have that time-and then I am grateful for it!
Xander has some speech and social delays. Working with EC Cares in partnership with his teachers at Head Start has been life changing! Looking at how far he has come over this last year with being in a Head Start classroom really shows me how much Head Start works! This kid has really grown and blossomed over the year and I am so happy he will have another year in Head Start before going off to kindergarten. I don’t think he would be excelling as much as he is without Head Start.
Head Start isn’t just helping my kid though. It’s helping me as well. I am in my 4th year on Policy Council. Being on Policy Council has really helped me understand all that Head Start does and how it works. I have gained more confidence and am more willing to speak up and ask questions when I attend meetings and put my voice out there. I don’t know what my family would do without the support of Head Start. Head Start works!!!
Tiffany Sanderson
Girl Scout Leader Troop 11031
GSOSW SU 66 Event Travel Coordinator
Owner/Operator of SanderSewn Creations