The Early Head Start program is operated by the Palmdale School District under the direction of our Principal/Director. The program has a wonderful support staff which includes: manager, assistant principles, early childhood education coordinator, parent involvement/social services, health staff, nutritionist, mental health provider, school psychologist, family community liaisons and child development liaisons.

Regular attendance is very important for your child to succeed in Early Head Start. If your child is absent, we ask that you send a note the following day to the teacher to explain the absence or give the teacher a courtesy telephone call.  Parents are requested to complete and sign an absence form for each of their child’s absences. Any absences of (3) or more consecutive days due to illness will require a doctor’s note. In order to remain in compliance, the Early Head Start Manager will review student’s Daily Average Attendance (ADA) to ensure the program reaches it’s 85% ADA on a monthly basis in accordance with Performance Standard 1305.8.

All children must be signed in/out daily. This includes the correct time of arrival/departure and first and last name of the responsible person. Other person signing for parent must be 18 or older and have valid I.D. Persons other than listed parents must be listed on the emergency card. If a child is not picked up by the end of the school day, and we have not heard from the parents, the authorities may be contacted. The agency must have access to current telephone numbers in case of an emergency therefore, emergency cards must be updated monthly. Students that have perfect attendance on a monthly basis receive a perfect attendance certificate and special surprise.

Program staff will support and facilitate infant and toddler transitions through responsive relationships that are secure, consistent, and continuous. The Palmdale School District Early Head Start program supports children’s transition during the first 3 years of life through building partnerships with families to support the development of responsive, respectful relationships among infants, toddlers, staff, child care providers. We make every effort to successfully transition pregnant women and their infants in to the home base program and children from home to the center. When children become Head Start age they are encouraged to apply for the Head Start program and to other pre-school settings.

Governor Davis signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 2260, the Health School Act of 2000. The purpose of AB 2260 is to ensure that effective “least toxic” pest management practices are used to manage pests at school sites in order to reduce exposure to toxic pesticides. AB 2260 requires parental notification of pesticide application, warning sign, record keeping at schools, and pesticide use reporting by licensed pest control businesses that apply pesticides at schools.

Students are to be dressed in clean and mended clothing. If clothes have a tear, they should be mended (safety pins are not safe). Shirt must not have any gang related, obscene, or violent pictures or words. If girls wear dresses to class, they should have shorts underneath so they can play freely outdoors. Please be sure to send a sweater or light jacket with your child when the weather changes. Also, please send a change of extra clothes to school with your child. All children’s extra clothing must have their names clearly marked on them. Tennis shoes (or similar shoes) are recommended. No thongs or open toed shoes are permitted.

At least 10 percent of the total number of enrollment opportunities in each delegate agency during an enrollment year must be made available to children with disabilities who meet the definition for children with disabilities in Sec. 1305.2 (a) and 1304.3(a) (2) of the Head Start Performance Standards. Children with disabilities means children with mental retardation, hearing impairments, visual impairments, serious emotional disturbance, or orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments or specific learning disabilities who, by reason thereof need special education and related services. Infants and toddlers with disabilities are those from birth to three years, as identified under the Part C Program in their State. In California, an infant or toddler with disabilities means infants and toddlers with a developmental delay, are at high risk for a developmental delay, have an established risk condition or a low incidence condition, as indicated in their Individualized Family Service Plan (I.F.S.P.).

The Early Head Start and Head Start program will work together with the Local Education Area (LEA) and Part C Program/Early Start (Regional Center and Lancaster School District) to provide an Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) for children 3-5 years of age or an Individualized Family Service Plan (I.F.S.P.) for infants and toddlers. The program also provides resource information to families of children with disabilities. For further information, please contact Iris-Xóchitl Arroyo, Disabilities Facilitator at (661) 273-4710 extension 1410.

Each child that enters the Palmdale School District Early Childhood Education program, Early Head Start program will need the following immunizations:

The Early Head Start Program embraces a comprehensive vision of health for children and families. In collaboration with families, staff and health professionals, all child health and developmental concerns are identified. Children and families are linked to an ongoing source of continuous, accessible care to meet their basic health needs. This includes a complete physical, dental examination and up to date immunizations