Information about implementing Early Head Start–Home Visiting is included in the Head Start Program Performance Standards and in resources included on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) website.
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Although Early Head Start does not require the use of a specific assessment tool, each Early Head Start program must implement a process for ongoing assessment. The Head Start Program Performance Standards require that programs perform or obtain screenings to identify concerns regarding a child’s developmental, sensory, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills. Early Head Start recommends that programs implement screening procedures that are sensitive to the child’s cultural and linguistic background and that the screening be done in conjunction with the child’s parent.
Early Head Start-Home Visiting programs are not required to follow a specific curriculum. Rather, the Head Start Program Performance Standards stipulate that programs select an in-home and group-based curriculum that encourages the development of secure relationships, trust and emotional security, and opportunities for each child to explore a variety of sensory and motor experiences, and that supports other aspects of social, emotional, and physical development. The curriculum must be based on sound child development principles about how children grow and learn.
Because programs select their own curriculum, they can select materials in the languages appropriate for the families they serve. All Early Head Start-Home Visiting programs are required, through the Head Start Program Performance Standards, to work with families in their primary, or preferred language.
According to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Early Head Start-Home Visiting programs must establish and implement procedures for the ongoing monitoring of their own operations, as well as those of each of their delegate agencies. At least once every program year, Early Head Start-Home Visiting programs must conduct a self-assessment of their effectiveness and progress in meeting program goals and objectives and in implementing federal regulations. Early Head Start-Home Visiting programs are monitored for compliance with the performance standards every three years by a team of external consultants. The review teams use a monitoring protocol developed by the Office of Head Start to review programs.
All Early Head Start-Home Visiting programs must follow the relevant Head Start Program Performance Standards as outlined in 45 CFR Parts 1301, 1303, 1304, 1305, 1306, and 1308.
The information contained on this page was last updated in May 2016. Recommended Further Reading lists the sources for this information. In addition, the information contained in this profile was reviewed for accuracy by the Office of Head Start on March 30, 2016. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency.