O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Kids / Head Start Centers
| Ocean Inc Kids
(To visit one of the O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Kids Head Start Centers, click on one of the links below)
Head Start is a comprehensive pre-school program
for low-income 3-5 year olds. Eligibility is based on income
guidelines from the federal government. To be eligible your family income
must be 100% or below on the Income Guidelines chart. The program provides services
in five major areas: Education, Health, Social Services, Parent Involvement,
and Special Needs.
| Education: |
Every child receives a variety of learning experiences
that foster physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. The
program combines teacher-directed and child-directed activities |
| Health: |
Head Start arranges for every child to receive,
if needed, comprehensive health care including:
- Complete medical examinations
- Nutrition services
- Mental Health screening and services
|
Medical examinations include vision and hearing tests,
identification of disabling conditions, immunizations, and dental exams.
Registration for WIC (Women, Infant and Children) services are available
and encouraged.
Nutrition services include a minimum of one hot
meal and one snack for each child daily. A nutritionist supervises
nutrition activities for the Head Start program.
A mental health professional is available to provide
mental health education to staff, parents, and children.
Parent
Involvement: |
Parents are encouraged to be involved in Head Start
program planning by joining the Policy Council where they have a strong
voice in decisions, and by volunteering their time as teacher aides, storytellers,
cooks, or clerical workers. |
| Social Services: |
Emphasis is placed on assisting Head Start families
in determining what their specific needs are, and guiding each family to
meet those needs through referrals to community resources. Details
of resources available for emergency situations are also provided. |
| Special Needs: |
Ten percent of Head Start’s enrollment are children
with disabilities. Special needs services (including speech and mental
health consultation) are offered at each Head Start site. Children
with diverse needs are always welcome at Head Start. |
All staff are trained and possess the skills necessary
to meet the needs of young children. All staff are CPR certified
and First Aid trained.
Head Start programs not only enhance the growth
and development of children, they promote family self-sufficiency and develop
community partnerships. O.C.E.A.N., Inc. currently operates Head
Start programs at six locations throughout Ocean County in Brick, Berkeley,
Barnegat, Toms River, Manchester and Tuckerton. (Visit the Locations/Directions page for center addresses). To request an application, please call (732)
244-9114.
O.C.E.A.N.,
Inc. Kids top of page
O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Kids combines affordable quality
child care with an early childhood development curriculum. The goal
of the program is to help children grow physically, emotionally, socially,
and cognitively at their own pace.
All staff are trained and possess the skills necessary
to meet the needs of young children. All staff are CPR certified
and First Aid trained.
O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Kids also offers summer activities
for school-age youth including field trips.
O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Kids. and Head Start have
taken the lead in building community awareness of barriers faced by low-income
families in accessing dental care for their children, and in seeking viable
solutions. To request an application, please call (732) 244-9114.
