Thank you for taking the time to complete the Free Early Childhood Education Interest Form for expectant families and children ages 0-5.  This is the first step of the process.  After completing this piece, you will be contacted within 10 days for scheduling an appointment with a NMCAA Recruitment and Health Specialist to complete your application.  

Definition of Programs:
Early Head Start Home Based- This program is a year-round home visiting experience for expectant women, infants, and toddlers up to age 3, that comes alongside families and walks with them on their parenting journey. Weekly home visits will support parents/guardians in promoting physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of infants and toddlers through safe and developmentally enriched caregiving.  Families will have opportunities to attend socialization experiences in their communities.

Early Head Start Center Based-This program is a year-round classroom-based experience for families with infants and toddlers up to age 3. This program is tailored to promote the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of infants and toddlers through safe and developmentally enriched caregiving.   Early Head Start encourages the development of children and prepares them for a successful entry into preschool using developmentally appropriate practices, including health routines, resources, and family partnership.   

Head Start, GSRP, and Strong Beginnings-These programs are classroom-based experiences for preschoolers ages 3 and 4 which follows the school year calendar.  These programs encourage the development of children and prepare them for successful entry into kindergarten using developmentally appropriate practices, guided by research-based curriculum including health routines, resources, and family partnership.  Families can participate in Family Engagement opportunities.