Child Inc Head start
Every Day Counts at Head StartHelping your Child Learn, Grow, and Succeed
Maximizing the Full Head Start Experience
We know that families do their very best every day to care for their children. Life can be busy and sometimes unpredictable. This guide is meant to support you — not to judge — by sharing why regular attendance is so important for young children and how families and Head Start can work together to prevent chronic absences. When children come to Child Inc Head Start regularly, they gain more than classroom lessons. They build friendships, confidence, routines, and skills that help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Why Regular Attendance Is Important
Young children learn best through consistent routines, relationships, and repetition. Each day at Head Start builds on the day before.
When children attend regularly, they:
- Learn letters, numbers, language, and problem‑solving skills
- Build social skills like sharing, listening, and cooperating
- Form strong relationships with teachers and classmates
- Feel safe, confident, and ready to learn
- Develop healthy routines that prepare them for kindergarten
Research shows that missing 10% of the school year — about 18 days total — can make learning harder for children. That’s just two days a month. These missed days add up and can affect children’s progress, even in the early years.
What Is Chronic Absence?
A child is considered chronically absent when they miss:
- About 2 days a month, or
- 18 days in a school year, for any reason (excused or unexcused)
Even when absences are due to illness, transportation issues, or family responsibilities, too many missed days can interrupt learning and routines.
Head Start Is More Than School
Head Start offers much more than classroom learning. Regular attendance helps children and families fully benefit from:
- Early learning and school readiness activities
- Health and developmental screenings
- Nutritious meals and snacks
- Social‑emotional support
- Family engagement and goal‑setting
- Connections to community resources
When children miss Head Start often, they miss these important supports, too.
Common Reasons Children Miss School — and You’re Not Alone
Many families face challenges that make attendance difficult. Some common reasons include:
- Child or family illness
- Transportation problems
- Work schedule changes
- Housing or childcare challenges
- Stressful life events
- Weather or safety concerns
Head Start understands that these challenges are real. Attendance is not about blame — it’s about working together to find solutions.
How Families Can Help Prevent Missed Days
Simple steps can make a big difference:
- Set regular bedtimes and morning routines
- Lay out clothes and supplies the night before
- Talk positively about school with your child
- Send your child when they are well enough to attend
- Schedule appointments outside school hours when possible
- Call the center if your child will be absent
Early Head Start (Infants & Toddlers): Every Day Matters, Too
Even our youngest children benefit from regular attendance. Infants and toddlers learn through daily routines, caring relationships, and repeated experiences.
When babies and toddlers come to Early Head Start regularly, they:
- Build strong, trusting relationships with caregivers
- Learn through play, movement, and exploration
- Develop early language and communication skills
- Feel safe and secure with familiar faces and routines
- Receive consistent care that supports healthy development
Missing days can be harder for infants and toddlers because they are still learning to feel comfortable and secure outside the home. Regular attendance helps them adjust, feel calm, and thrive.
How Families Can Support Attendance for Infants & Toddlers
- Keep a consistent daily routine for drop‑off and pick‑up
- Pack needed items the night before (diapers, clothes, bottles)
- Talk with staff about sleep, feeding, or health concerns
- Send your child when they are healthy enough to attend
- Let staff know if your family is facing challenges — support is available
We’re Here to Support You!
If attendance has been difficult, please talk with:
- A family advocate
- Center manager
We can help problem‑solve challenges and connect you with support.
Our Shared Goal
When children attend Head Start regularly, they:
- Learn more
- Feel more confident
- Build strong school habits
- Have better success in kindergarten and life
Every day your child comes to Child Inc is an investment in their future.