F.R. Danyus Child Development Center

Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded Early Childhood Development and Health and Family Service programs designed to promote physical, mental, educational, and financial wellness of children and families in order to promote lifelong learning and self-sufficiency. A primary focus is kindergarten readiness and promoting a healthy attitude towards lifelong learning. Enrichment activities through Center Based and Home Based Programs promote child development and learning, health and wellness, nutrition and family success.

Head Start programs are operated following federal regulations establishing performance standards and minimum requirements with respect to health, education, parent involvement, nutrition, social, transition, and other Head Start services as well as administrative and financial management, facilities, and other appropriate program areas. As a grantee agency, CCA has legal and fiscal responsibility to ensure that the program operates in compliance with these standards.

Head Start is different from virtually all other anti-poverty programs as it requires parent involvement in the design and delivery of services. Parent involvement helps to ensure that the services provided to families are of the highest quality and that services align with the needs of the community. It also helps parents develop decision-making and leadership skills. Accordingly, the Performance Standards require all Head Start programs involve parents in program planning, policies, and operations of the Head Start program serving their children. The Head Start Policy Council is the primary vehicle for involving parents in decision-making concerning their CCA, Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start Program. Each of our centers operate parent committees and plan for center wide parent training events, parent activities, and parent-child celebrations.

CCA Head Start is funded to serve 617 children and Early Head Start serves 142 children. Both programs are required and do maintain a wait list of over 300 children.

CCA Head Start and Early Head Start Programs provide a high quality comprehensive, developmentally- appropriate educational program to children and their families. In additional to the education component, the program ensures that children received needed medical services; including age appropriate screening and immunizations, dental checkups and dental care, and nutritious meals and snacks.

A family centered goal of achieving self-sufficiency is achieved through supportive case management services. Case managers offer a variety of services and activities designed on an individual family basis to empower them to set and achieve goals to rise above poverty. Assessment instruments are used to determine the family strengths and a comprehensive services plan is developed to produce successful family outcomes.

In addition to the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, CCA also provides NC Pre-K and Child Care Services. NC Pre-K services is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for at-risk four-year-olds. Children enrolled in NC Pre-K receive a full day of services, compared to the part-day services otherwise provided to Head Start children. Teaching staff are required to hold an early childhood education/child development associate degree and be working toward Birth-Kindergarten licensure. The More at Four sites must meet a variety of program guidelines and standards around curriculum, training and education levels for teachers and administrators, class size and student-teacher ratios.

Child care services component of CCA is a fee-for-service program providing high quality childcare at 6 CCA Child Development Centers in Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico Counties. Child Care Services are offered to parents in conjunction with Head Start, Early Head Start, and NC Pre-K for wrap around care or in a full-day, full year capacity. CCA serves children whose families are provided child care subsidy through the Department of Social Services or those who privately pay for services.

Child Ages:

3 weeks - 5 years

Licenses & Accreditations:

North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education

Vouchers:

This provider accepts vouchers

Preschool:

Yes