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About Early Head Start 

If you have a child younger than 3 years old, we have a free childcare program just right for you!

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Early Head Start (EHS) is a center-based Infant and Toddler program that promotes the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children through safe and enriching environments.  EHS also promotes good manners, eating habits, and socialization skills.  AEL emphasizes nurturing through low child-staff ratios, small group sizes, and caring teachers to help staff build meaningful relationships with the children.  Child development and education, family partnerships and goal setting, and community collaborations are also available to meet additional family needs.

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Early Head Start is more than just childcare. Arkansas Early Learning serves Early Head Start children ages 0 to 3 in Benton, Craighead, Cross, Garland, Jackson, Poinsett, Pulaski, Saline, and Washington counties.  AEL utilizes a curriculum that includes daily routines that are individualized to meet the needs of each child with naps, feeding, diapering, and toileting while offering: 

 

  • Free, high-quality childcare services

  • Free meals and snacks for children

  • Ongoing observation and assessment

  • Medical and dental services

  • Health, nutrition, dental, and developmental & behavioral screenings

  • School readiness

  • Parent Involvement Opportunities

  

Classroom activities, materials, and equipment are suited for the age and stage of development of the child to support and stimulate the incredibly rapid physical and cognitive development of children this age.

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To learn more about the Arkansas Early Learning Early Head Start program or to discuss eligibility, contact us at your earliest convenience. 

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Eligibility: 

 

  • Children ages birth to 3 years old

  • Family qualifier must be at or below 100% of the federal poverty level

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How to Apply:

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Visit one of our Head Start Centers or click here to complete an application online.

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Como Aplicar:

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Visite uno de nuestros Centros Head Start o haga clic aquí para completar una solicitud en línea.

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To apply, you must show:

 

  • Proof of income for the past 12 months (1040 tax form or W2s)

  • Proof of residence

  • Child's birth certificate/proof of birth 

  • Parent/guardian identification

  • Child's shot record

  • Child's health insurance card 

  • Completed application

Contact Us:

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Click here to contact us by email or call one of the below numbers.

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Northeast Regional Office

1901 Woodsprings Rd., Jonesboro, AR 72401

(870) 931-1172

Northwest Regional Office

2308 SE 28th Street, Bentonville, AR 72712

(479) 319-6333

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This website is supported by Grant Numbers O6CH012420, O6CH012674, O6CH012668 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Arkansas Early Learning and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.

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