Opportunities for Otsego Head Start Meets National Quality Standards

03.05.2024 - Oneonta, NY

Results from a three-month long review conducted by the Office of Head Start concluded that Opportunities for Otsego Head Start preschool classrooms meet national quality standards.

Using the CLASS observation tool, the national Office of Head Start assessed interactions between children and teachers in three broad domains of classroom quality: emotional support; classroom organization; and instructional support. Opportunities for Otsego Head Start program met established thresholds in each domain and the expectations of the Office of Head Start for their learning environments across the nation.

Nicole Cashman, Head Start Director regarding the findings, “What stands out most, is that emotional support was identified as the strongest component of our Head Start program. This ranking not only speaks to the caring and attentive nature of our teaching teams, but our program design prioritizing emotional development and wellbeing.”

Established in 1965, Head Start was designed to promote the school readiness of children, ages three to five, from lower income families by supporting child development via high-quality, comprehensive services. Through regularly scheduled and rigorous evaluations, such as the CLASS observation, families are assured that Head Start programming sets the foundation for positive child outcomes and future academic achievement.

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OFO’s Head Start program operates nine preschool classrooms across Otsego County. To enroll for fall, children must turn three years old by December 1st. Head Start also provides support to prenatal mothers and children up to three years old through the Early Head Start home-based program. For more information, call 607.433.8055 or start an application online.