Waukesha site expanding Early Head Start spots

School Zone

The Journal Sentinel education reporters offer news and notes from their beat

Dec. 15, 2009

By Amy Hetzner of the Journal Sentinel

Dec. 15, 2009 0

National Centers for Learning Excellence in Waukesha is increasing the number of spots in its Early Head Start program by 50% thanks to a new federal grant.

The grant, which amounts to nearly $300,000, means that the early childhood program can serve an additional 24 low-income infants, toddlers and pregnant women, the organization announced. The funding was awarded through a national competition.

The centers' Early Head Start serves low-income pregnant mothers and children up to the age of 3 in a home-based program focused on supporting children's development in their earliest years. It differs from Head Start, which is a preschool program that serves low-income children ages 3 to 5.

"This home-based program, which supports parents and strengthens their skills in working with their own child, is proven to have the deepest long-term impact on child and parent alike," said Timothy Nolan, executive director of the Waukesha centers. Home visits are in English and Spanish.

Pregnant women and parents of infants and toddlers who are interested in enrolling in the Early Head Start program should contact Carol Rogers at (262) 548-8080 ext. 1022. Admission will be based on family income and other factors.

About Amy Hetzner

I have covered schools in the metro Milwaukee area since I joined the paper in 2000. Prior to that, I worked at newspapers in Alabama and Illinois. I hold a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's in journalism from Northwestern University.