MISSION STATEMENT

Committee for Early Childhood Development Head Start is a federally funded program, serving children between the ages of 3-5 years, mostly from economically disadvantaged families. CECD Head Start is a non-profit organization. We are a family oriented program that provides opportunities for children and parents to excel. Children are serviced in a safe, secure, clean and nurturing environment, and parent involvement is an integral part of our program. Per Federal Mandate, 10% of the children serviced in our program have special needs. We have a strong Male Involvement Program and a Women’s Empowerment Group, and they meet once a month.  The program also participates in the NYC Department for the Aging “Foster Grandparent Program.” These “grandparents” work one-on-one in the classroom with children with special needs. The strength of our program is based on strong parent participation, qualified and caring staff, and a very active and highly supportive Governing Board. CECD received the New York State Department of Education Outstanding Pre- Kindergarten Award in January 2005. Our Jamaica Avenue site is a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accredited site.