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ERIC Number: ED594664
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 50
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Head Start Facilities Report, Fiscal Year 2015
Office of Head Start, US Department of Health and Human Services
Head Start promotes school readiness by enhancing the physical, social, and cognitive development of children through educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services. Head Start centers are where services are provided in communities that are generally lacking infrastructures that support early learning. As a result, it is imperative that Head Start provides high quality facilities to children and their families to set a foundation for success. Data on Head Start centers observed in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 monitoring reviews indicate that many Head Start centers are older buildings. Over half of the centers were reported to have been built before 1990 with over a third reported to have been built before 1970. Less than half of the monitored centers built before 1970 have been renovated. The average age of the centers is approximately 40 years old with the oldest center reported as 176 years old. Most Head Start centers appear to be suitable, sustainable, and functional. Some observed buildings have issues that are expected in older buildings, such as poorly maintained or unclean environments and safety code issues (e.g., fire safety). Age and weather pose challenges, including weatherization, deterioration, structural defects, and maintenance of playground safety. Due to the age of the centers and the fact that exposure to weather compounds problems, it is expected that the conditions will worsen over time. Additional funding for maintenance and repair, renovation, and some new construction would support Head Start grantees' efforts to maintain centers suitable for providing Head Start services.
Office of Head Start, US Department of Health and Human Services. Tel: 866-763-6481; e-mail: headstart@eclkc.info; Web site: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (DHHS), Office of Head Start
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A