Head Start

A child reads during Head Start.

The City of Lakewood offers a wide range of programs and levels of financial assistance for preschool-aged children. Parents are encouraged to enroll their child as soon as possible because of limited availability in some programs. Please feel free to ask staff to clarify any questions you may have regarding the descriptions. All information you provide will be confidential.

How to apply:

Head Start

Eligibility

Head Start provides a no-fee educational experience for 3- and 4-year-old children who meet specific eligibility requirements: low-income, homeless or child with identified special needs.

You must be a Lakewood resident to participate in the Head Start program. If you live outside of the City of Lakewood, we will assist with resources upon request. Families with special needs are encouraged to apply.

To be eligible for the current program year, children must be 3 years old but not yet 5, by October 1.

Session details

Full Day Sessions
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Patterson Children's Center
Includes breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.

Extended Day Sessions
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
*Closed the first Friday of every month
Includes breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.

Apply now

To apply for Head Start, download and fill out the application and contact program staff at 303-987-2490 or visit the Wilbur Rogers Center. View Map

Early Head Start

About the program

Early Head Start provides early, continuous and comprehensive child development and family support services. This includes:

  • Helping a child grow and develop in a safe and enriching environment
  • Supporting parents in their role as the primary caregiver and teacher of their children
  • Providing opportunities for families and children to connect and support each other
  • Supporting families to meet personal goals
  • Working with communities to provide valuable resources

Home Visits

Each week, your home visitor will work with you and your child. Home visitors provide activities, work with you to develop individual and family goals and design a plan to work toward those goals. They also provide resources in your community that include: housing, food banks, employment, schooling, child programs and more.

PACT Activities
PACT activities provide an opportunity for families to connect with other families in their community. Activities are engaging and age-appropriate. Occasionally, guest speakers will attend to talk about other services available to you in the community. PACT activities occur twice a month at locations to within the community.

Eligibility 

This program is designed to serve the same families as our preschool-aged Head Start program. The same families that qualify for Head Start, can qualify for Early Head Start (EHS). 

Expectant mothers and children from 0-3 years are eligible for enrollment. After 3 years of age, we work with the family to transition the child to our traditional Head Start classroom.

Apply now

To apply for Early Head Start, contact the program staff at 303-987-2490 or visit the Wilbur Rogers Center. View Map

What is provided:

Parents, in partnership with staff, create individual goals that prepare the preschool-age child (3-5) to be successful in school and in life. We lay the foundation for learning by providing enriched learning environments supported by qualified teaching staff. The Creative Curriculum, which identifies goals in four areas of development, Social/Emotional, Physical, Cognitive and Language, is the approved curriculum our program uses.

Through the USDA-sponsored Child and Adult Care Food Program, we provide well-balanced meals and snacks to help children meet their daily energy and nutrient needs.

Children are screened twice a year for height, weight, and body mass index to help identify those who may be at risk for overweight and obesity.

Our Head Start classrooms participate in the Culture of Wellness in Preschools Program, which includes an Integrated Nutrition Education Program (INEP) and a movement program known as, "I am Moving, I am Learning (IMIL)".

Family outreach activities include parent meeting presentations, nutrition newsletters, and nutrition education handouts. We also partner with community agencies such as Cooking Matters and CSU Cooperative Extension to provide nutrition and cooking classes for our families. Parent Wellness Workshops are conducted through Culture of Wellness in Preschools.

 

Lakewood provides assistance and links for participating children and their families to community health resources. Through Health Services the teachers are provided with plans to include children with special health issues into the regular classroom. The program staff collaborates with the local education agency so that children who may need additional classroom support succeed in every way.

 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.