Enrollment open at Head Start, volunteers wanted

May 31, 2022

The South Shore Community Action Council’s Head Start, an early childhood education program at 314 Onset Ave., is now enrolling children for the fall. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities — including an opportunity to work toward an early childhood education certificate.

Head Start offers “free, income-eligible childcare and preschool with a focus on serving the entire family,” said Lori Pearson. There are also some home-based services for families with infants and babies.

Head Start has a nurse on site, and includes health and nutrition as part of its full-day preschool curriculum. 

“Each family receives a family advocate to assist the family in setting goals,” Pearson said, like saving up to buy a home or car. Head Start can also connect families with other services as needed, like fuel assistance, WIC, help with tax preparation or food assistance. 

Because Onset’s Head Start is run by the South Shore Community Action Council, it can also help connect families to any of that group’s services as needed, including fuel assistance, weatherization, help with tax preparation or food assistance. Staffers are also able to help families access public services like WIC or SNAP, both of which provide assistance to help families get enough to eat. 

For more information about enrollment, go to sscac.org or call Missie at 508-746-0333. Staffers can also provide information about other Head Start sites, including programs in Plymouth, Mashpee, West Yarmouth and Dennisport.

Volunteering

There are lots of opportunities to help out at Head Start — and opportunities to work toward a career in early childhood care.

“The volunteers develop a relationship with the classroom and the teacher,” Pearson said. She said Head Start likes to ask volunteers to bring their talents to the classroom. Other volunteer opportunities could include reading a book one-on-one with a child or helping out at meals. 

Meals at Head Start are served family-style — adults and children sit together and talk during the meal while practicing their table manners. 

Volunteers could also lead small group activities or play games, Pearson said. 

Pearson said that she’s just starting a growing teachers program, aimed at parents and community members who want to work in early childhood care. She’s ready to help them navigate the pathway to earning their certification, which includes coursework and time working in classrooms. 

Those interested in volunteering or taking part in the growing teachers program should call Lori at 781-837-6837.