Head Start and Oregon Pre K (OPK) | Early Learning Division

Programs

Head Start & Oregon Pre-K

Overview

What is Head Start & Oregon Pre-kindergarten ?

Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. Oregon modeled Oregon Pre-kindergarten (OPK) after Head Start to expand high-quality early learning opportunities for lowest income and highest need preschool children from three to five years.

OPK is free to families whose children are at least three years old, not old enough for kindergarten, and who meet income or other eligibility qualifications. Program services include:

Preschool education and early childhood development
Child health/mental health and nutrition
Parent education and family support

In the classroom, they program provides a learning environment that supports children’s growth and development, which includes:

Language and literacy
Cognition and general knowledge
Physical development and health
Social and emotional development
Approaches to learning

OPK emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher and builds relationships with families to support:

Family well-being and positive parent-child relationships
Families as learners and lifelong educators
Family engagement in transitions
Family connections to peers and community
Families as advocates and leaders

All services are designed to be responsive to each child and family’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage. We are proud to partner with Head Start to have these serviced available in all 36 counties in Oregon.

Search below for an Oregon Pre-kindergarten program in your area. For more information about Head Start, visit the Head Start and the Oregon Head Start Association websites.

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FAQ

Is my child eligible for Head Start or Early Head Start?

Children from birth to age five from families with low income, according to the Poverty Guidelines published by the federal government, are eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services.

Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are categorically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services regardless of income.

Pregnant women may also be eligible for Early Head Start.

Are children in foster care eligible for Head Start?

Children in foster care are Head Start eligible, regardless of family income.

Does Head Start accept children with disabilities or special needs?

The Head Start Act of 2007 requires 10 percent of the total number of children actually enrolled by each Head Start agency and each delegate agency to be children with disabilities who are determined to be eligible for special education and related services, or early intervention services.

Is my child eligible for Oregon Head Start Pre-Kindergarten (OPK)?

OPK programs may enroll up to 20% of children from families that have incomes above the Poverty Guidelines. Programs may also serve up to an additional 35% of children from families whose incomes are above the Poverty Guidelines, but below 130% of the poverty line if the program can ensure that certain conditions have been met.

What if my income level is higher than the Poverty Guidelines?

How do I find a Head Start or OPK program near me?

Use the Head Start Locator to find all Head Start locations. To search specifically for OPK programs, use the Program Locator [Add link when available] on the Early Learning Division website or call 211 for more information.