Serving More Than 1,263 Disadvantaged Children Annually, for 30+ years
Centro’s outstanding long-term relationships in the Utah community allow it to exceed its funded enrollment each year. Centro annually serves 1,263 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with Early Head Start and Head Start Preschool programs across Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, encompassing both rural and urban areas.
"I believe that this is one of the most constructive, and one of the most sensible, and also one of the most exciting programs that this nation has ever undertaken. We have taken up the age-old challenge of poverty and we don't intend to lose generations of our children to this enemy of the human race."
—President Johnson 1965, regarding the implementation of Head Start
What is Head Start?
Head Start gives children from at-risk backgrounds the skills they need to be successful in school and life—supporting more kids, families, and communities on their path to success.
Since its inception in 1965, Head Start has promoted school readiness among economically disadvantaged and underserved children, through the provision of educational, health, nutrition, and other social services.
Through providing comprehensive Head Start Services to Utah's children since 1991, Centro has developed an intimate appreciation of the challenges faced by minority, immigrant, and low-income communities, earning the trust of the communities in which we serve and making our services a refuge for those in need.
Centro's Head Start Advantage
1,263
Children served throughout Utah, Nevada, and Colorado
1:4
Student to teacher ratio in infant and toddler classrooms
1:10
Student to teacher ratio in preschool classrooms
"Head Start is designed to ensure that all children – regardless of their family’s income, race, or ethnic background – are able to enter kindergarten ready to learn."
— Lucille Roybal-Allard
If you are ready to join Centro’s Head Start community and give your child the best start in life, click the link below to fill out an application.
Why Head Start?
Studies show that children who cannot read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are more likely to drop out of school. Those same studies show that children who are not prepared for kindergarten are less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. This phenomenon is called the school readiness gap.
Centro’s Head Start programs work to close the school readiness gap and prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond. To accomplish this goal, Centro takes a holistic approach to early child development and education. The key to lifelong success is parent engagement. As a parent in Centro’s programs, you will gain a strong understanding of your crucial role as your child’s first and most important teacher.
"When I was looking for a way to get ahead in life, I didn’t have any options until my children were at the age to go to preschool. Since then, I have been able to work really hard to get my University credits and work full-time. I am able to trust the teachers with my children and I have seen how much my children have grown."
— Current Centro Head Start Parent
Centro’s High-Quality Services
- Full-day center-based services for children 6-weeks to 5-years old
- Free for children who qualify
- Bi-lingual English/Spanish classrooms
- Breakfast, lunch, and a snack every day
- Transportation services available at all locations in Utah and Nevada, and select locations in Colorado
- Qualified teaching staff and a nationally recognized curriculum that supports active learning and improves child outcomes
More information
Head Start Programs & Child Care Partnerships
- Migrant and Seasonal Head Start and Early Head Start – This program serves pregnant mothers and children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age, and specifically serves low-income families working in agriculture (i.e. crop production, animal production, forestry, logging).
- Region 8 Head Start – This program specifically serves low-income children from 3 to 5 years of age.
"Through this partnership, we not only have the extra funds to help with the staff and materials that we need, but my staff can see how we can best benefit children."
— Jill Davidson, Director Smart Kids West Jordan
- Migrant Early Head Start Child Care Partnership – This program, serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age whose low-income families work in agriculture, combines the strengths of the Early Head Start program with those of licensed childcare providers by implementing full-day, full-year Early Head Start program services within local day-care centers.
- Region 8 Early Head Start Child Care Partnership – This program, serving low-income children from 6 weeks to 3 years of age, also combines the strengths of the Early Head Start program with those of licensed childcare providers by implementing full-day, full-year Early Head Start program services within local day-care centers.