Head Start

Head Start Preschool Flyers

Head Start Program Flyer-English
preschool flyer, english
Head Start Program Flyer-Spanish
preschool head start flyer, spanish

Head Start Registration Information

To be eligible for Head Start services, a child must be three or four by September 10 and be from a low-income family (meeting federal income guidelines). Generally, qualifying children live close to the school site they attend, ensuring a successful transition into kindergarten at the same location.

Head Start Office

1850 45th Ave NE
Salem, OR  97305

Phone

503-399-5510

Fax

503-375-7832

Office Hours

Monday through Friday,
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Coordinator

Stephanie Whetzel

Asst. Coordinator

Rayeann Reynolds and Laurie Taitano

Office Manager

Heidi Roskop

Head Start Applications

Head Start Application Package - English
PDF of Head Start Application, English
Head Start Application Package - Spanish
PDF of Headstart Application in Spanish
Head Start applications are downloadable from the PDFs above, or you can pick up a hard copy from your school office, or contact the Head Start central office at 503-399-5510.

Applying for a spot in a Head Start class

Which Head Start Program will my student attend?

Salem-Keizer Head Start and Community Action Head Start use the same application to qualify families. The family’s residence will determine which program will best serve the family.

What do I need for this application?

The following items must accompany the application in order to complete the process:

  • Completed Head Start Application, signed and dated
  • Proof of income to determine federal income eligibility
  • A copy of your child’s birth certificate
  • A copy of your child’s immunization records

More information on each of these items is available in the Head Start Application package document: English | Spanish

Applications are scored when they are received at the central office. Scores are determined by income and child/family needs.

Email your application and accompanying documents to us

Please email completed applications and supporting documents to: prekapplication@salkeiz.k12.or.us

Limited Class Size

Eligible families are contacted to complete the required program paperwork. Families will be notified by mail if they are placed on the waiting list.

We can only have 20 children in each classroom. As children drop from the program, new children are added from the waiting list.

Returning children are re-enrolled in May for the following school year. Program applications are sent to elementary schools in April, in order to begin the enrollment process for the following year.

About Head Start

English

About Early Childhood Education (video)

Spanish

About Early Childhood Education (video)

Parent Handbook

Nurturing environment for 3-5 years old kids

Head Start is a safe and nurturing environment for children between the ages of 3 and 5. Head Start provides a variety of support programs for students and families to help them on the road to success.

Bilingual Language Support

It is estimated that approximately 50 percent of the program families speak languages other than English. Since Spanish is the most predominant of the other languages spoken, all of the classrooms are staffed with bilingual language support and parent volunteers.

Each classroom has a paid parent assistant. The parent assistant is typically a parent of one of the Head Start students in the classroom.

High Quality Services to Children and Families

Salem-Keizer Head Start is a state-funded program. The Oregon Department of Education monitors the program. Head Start Performance Standards are mandatory regulations that all Head Start programs must implement. The standards define the objectives and goals of a quality program.

As the program grantee, the Salem-Keizer School Board and the program Policy Council have the responsibility of shared governance, overseeing the delivery of high quality services to children and families. Each classroom has two parent representatives on Policy Council who make decisions about program operation, approve program policies and serve as the link from the sites to Policy Council.

Salem-Keizer Head Start has high standards for children and staff. Staff are highly qualified district employees. The educational team uses ongoing assessment of each child, which enables them to set goals, individualize programs and keep parents informed of their child’s progress throughout the school year.