Head Start recognizes that it serves families within the context of the community, and that many other agencies and groups work with the same families. Head Start collaborates with these community partners to provide the highest level of services to children and their families, to foster the development of a continuum of family-centered services and to advocate for a community that shares responsibility for the healthy development of children and families of all cultures.
Sunbeam Family Services is our delegate Educare agency for Head Start. We work together to strengthen each other’s programs and guarantee that the best services possible are given to the students and families enrolled in our programs.
This agency has long maintained a productive, healthy relationship with school districts around the city. We are currently in partnership with three school districts. They are Oklahoma City Public Schools, Mid-Del School District, and Santa Fe South Charter School District. For the school year 2020-21, Head Start services will be provided in 10 pubic school locations.
In addition to working with school districts, we also work collaboratively with daycares in the private sector in order to reach as many students as possible across the city. We are in partnership with two daycares in the city: Happy Times daycare in Midwest City and Child Care Network in Oklahoma City.
To ensure that we provide the best early childhood education possible, not only for students but for families as well, we are happy to announce our continuing partnership with Smart Start Central Oklahoma in providing Early Birds classes to our Agency. Early Birds is a unique, family-based, school readiness program that provides families with information, activities and materials to use with their children. Head Start chose to utilize Early Birds due to its success and usage in several local districts, including Oklahoma City and Putnam City, which most of our students graduate to going into kindergarten. This will help strengthen family relationships and prepare children for the next level. We have provided several classes at the central office as well as at Steed, West Oak, Will Rogers, and Oak Grove Head Start centers with great results.
