Early Head Start (EHS) 0

Early Head Start (EHS) Program ensures that children (0-3 years of age) and their families of low income receive the academic, social, mental, health, and nutritional education they need to be successful as they continue in their life journey. Families can enroll in our center base or home base program. The Center base program is offered at 3 different locations for children. The center base program provides a classroom setting where the children needs are met with a 1 to 4 child/staff ratio.

The EHS Center base program follows the High Reach Curriculum which allows the children to explore their environments and helps the teachers expand the curriculum. It also expands communication skills through sign language. The EHS Home Base program is a weekly parent-focused home visits that include health, nutrition, resources and education focusing on the "Parent as Teachers" curriculum. Such services enable parents to be a part of their child's learning experience. Participants in this program learn how to develop secure relationships, encourage cognitive skills, promote physical health, and acquire life skills. Home Visitors also provide ongoing support for pregnant mothers throughout their pregnancy; ensuring that their nutritional and medical needs are met.

The EHS program serves at least 96 children every year.

Head Start (HS)

Head Start is a free program that helps low income preschool children (3-5 yrs of age) and their families succeed in school and in life. It is designed to prepare the children for Kindergarten and beyond as well as meet the nutritional, health, social and mental health needs of the children and their families. The Springfield Urban League has operated a Head Start Program in Sangamon and Morgan counties since 1990.

The Head Start Program serves at least 619 children, 3-5 years of age, and their families in Sangamon and Morgan counties; within these counties the Head Start program has 8 different sites, 5 are located in Springfield, 2 are located in Jacksonville and one in Riverton. To ensure school readiness for all of our children, the SUL Head Start implements the Creative Curriculum, InvestiGator Club curriculum and Jolly Phonics program along with other supplemental materials that promote language, literacy, math, science, creative arts, social studies, social-emotional development, approaches to learning, logic and reasoning, physical health and development. Children receive a variety of learning experiences to foster their intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth. Children participate in indoor and outdoor play, field trips around the community, and music, art, and language activities. As guided by the Conscious Discipline Curriculum, children are encouraged to express their feelings, develop a good feeling about themselves, and work well with others. 

Who is Eligible?

Children who are 3 to 5 years old are eligible for Head Start services. Pregnant women and children from birth to 3 years of age are eligible for Early Head Start services. Children and families who are homeless, in foster care, or receive TANF or SSI are also eligible for services. Eligibility is determined by Head Start program staff and some families may be eligible for services if they are determined to be at or below the federal poverty level. Some grantees enroll a percentage of children from families with incomes above the Poverty Guidelines as well.

Center Locations

  • Cook Site
    1108 E Cook St.
    Springfield, IL 62703
    (217) 528-0893