Phone: 501-624-5724
2254 Albert Pike Road
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913
Head Start
Early HS

Head Start

Serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years
Head Start
Early Head Start
Benefits
Curriculum
Eligibility
Apply
Eligibility
Apply
Program Benefits
Curriculum
What is Head Start?
CSO's Head Start programs support children’s growth from ages 3-5 through services focusing on early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start staff actively engage parents because family participation throughout the program is key to strong outcomes.

Head Start services are available at no cost for eligible families.
About Early Head Start
CSO's Head Start programs support children’s growth from ages 3-5 through services focusing on early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start staff actively engage parents because family participation throughout the program is key to strong outcomes.

Head Start services are available at no cost for eligible families.
Benefits of Head Start

Head Start emphasizes social and emotional skills, helping children build self-control, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively. Research has shown that Head Start participants often carry these skills into adulthood, with improvements in self-esteem, self-control, and positive parenting practices. These qualities contribute to healthier relationships and stronger communities.

Head Start emphasizes social and emotional skills, helping children build self-control, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively. Research has shown that Head Start participants often carry these skills into adulthood, with improvements in self-esteem, self-control, and positive parenting practices. These qualities contribute to healthier relationships and stronger communities.

Meals and snacks designed to meet children’s dietary needs. Good nutrition ensures children are ready to learn and grow, fostering their physical and cognitive development.

Head Start is dedicated to inclusivity, providing individualized support for children with special needs. By creating an environment where every child can thrive, the program ensures equal opportunities for learning and development.

Head Start provides family-centered resources like parenting workshops, job training, and connections to community services. Research has shown that Head Start’s benefits extend across generations: children of Head Start participants are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like teen parenthood or criminal activity and are more likely to graduate high school and attend college.

Head Start offers parents opportunities to engage with their child(ren)'s Head Start journey along with being part of a larger community of Head Start teachers and other parents. At CSO Head Start we:

  • Invite parents to share information and insights about their child. We also engage parents as their child’s lifelong advocate.
  • Celebrate the role of fathers and male caregivers through father engagement. See CSO's FORGE program to learn more
  • Welcome parents to offer ways to improve children and families’ experiences in the program, including through leadership roles on the Policy Council .
  • Offer parents and caretakers the opportunity to join their children on educational feild trips.
  • Support child and family transitions to the next step in Head Start, kindergarten, or another early childhood program.

Head Start not only boosts high school graduation rates but also improves participants’ health outcomes later in life. Children of Head Start participants experience an 11% increase in high school graduation rates and an 18% boost in college enrollment. These gains translate into estimated wage increases of 6% to 11% by age 50.

Don't just listen to us about how your child will benefit from Head Start. Get the word straight from Head Start families and teachers.
Curriculum

Head Start is dedicated to building strong literacy foundations for our students. We achieve this by engaging them with books and visual aids in their classrooms and hosting regular storytime sessions, often featuring special guests, at all our locations.

Our Pat Longinotti Head Start center in Hot Springs features its own dedicated library stocked with a wide selection of books. This library offers a comfortable and contained environment where the students can engage with classmates and explore the many age-appropriate books available.

CSO offers physical education for both Head Start and Early Head Start students. Students have a wide range of opportunities to engage activities like dance and tumbling.

CSO Head Start and Early Head Start centers use are to both educate the children and let them express themselves. They are encouraged to express themselves through art by teachers, special guests other methods.

STEAM Education is an innovative approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics as interconnected pathways for student learning.

STEAM lessons encourage students to explore real-world problems and engage in creative problem-solving. Parents also have opportunities to join their children on STEAM field trips, which are both fun and educational.
Eligibility
Families qualify if their gross annual income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Some programs may enroll children from families with incomes slightly above this threshold.
Families qualify if their gross annual income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Some programs may enroll children from families with incomes slightly above this threshold.
Children are automatically eligible regardless of income if they fall into any of the following categories:
  • Receiving Public Assistance: The family receives SNAP, TANF, or SSI.
  • Foster Care: The child is in 24-hour out-of-home foster care
  • Homelessness: The family is experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
FAMILY SIZE Annual Income 100% FPL Annual Income 130% FPL
1 $15,960 $20,025
2 $21,640 $28,132
3 $27,320 $35,516
4 $33,000 $42,900
5 $38,680 $50,284
6 $44,360 $57,668
7 $50,040 $65,052
8 $55,720 $72,436
Each additional family member: + $5,680 + $7,384
Annual Income 100% FPL
$15,060
Annual Income 130% FPL
$19,578
Children are automatically eligible regardless of income if they fall into any of the following categories:
  • Receiving Public Assistance: The family receives SNAP, TANF, or SSI.
  • Foster Care: The child is in 24-hour out-of-home foster care
  • Homelessness: The family is experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Families qualify if their gross annual income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Some programs may enroll children from families with incomes slightly above this threshold.
Families qualify if their gross annual income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Some programs may enroll children from families with incomes slightly above this threshold.
Children are automatically eligible regardless of income if they fall into any of the following categories:
  • Receiving Public Assistance: The family receives SNAP, TANF, or SSI.
  • Foster Care: The child is in 24-hour out-of-home foster care
  • Homelessness: The family is experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Annual Income 100% FPL
$15,960
Annual Income 130% FPL
$20,748
Apply
CSO is accepting applications for its Head Start program now. CSO's Early Head Start program is active all year round. You can pick up an application in person at your nearest Head Start location. You can also download an application to fill out or apply online.
Download Application
Apply Online
Questions?
If you have general inquiries or questions about enrollment at CSO's Head Start or Early Head Start programs, please contact us using this form.
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Breaking Barriers & Changing Lives
2254 Albert Pike Road
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913
501-624-5724
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