Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs which serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.

Nipomo Site

We are developing a new Head Start Site in Nipomo near Nipomo High School. It is our intention to make this into a site that will inspire young children to a life of living in harmony with nature.

The play area we envision will have the following characteristics:

Native grasses and plants, as well as Mediterranean-zoned plants that do well in our Central Coast microclimates will be used to encourage hardiness, facilitate the reduction of water consumption and reduce maintenance costs. We’re already planning on recycling some of the concrete left over from the demolition of another building that was on site. This building was removed because it was not structurally sound and not economically viable to remodel. Minimal grading and shaping of the grounds will take place to safely retain the undulations in the terrain and better support the “natural environment” movement. Some existing playground equipment will be used on site for specific motor development purposes, but the goal is to have as much of a natural environment as possible, thus encouraging the “outdoor classroom model” to make as much as possible and minimize negative impact on the environment. A garden and orchard are planned for the site, which will enable the children to grow food that can not only be consumed on site, but on nearby Head Start centers as well! In addition, this project will further connect the children with the earth in a positive manner and build a strong foundation for them to be good stewards of our environment.