PACE Head Start
WHAT IS HEAD START?
PACE Head Start and Early Head Start provide family-centered child development programming for over 264 income-eligible families with children from birth to age 5 living in the Greater New Bedford area.
- The program is at no cost to families who qualify. (see eligibility chart below)
- Part and full-day center-based services are available Monday through Friday, part-year and year-round.
PACE Head Start Mission
Our mission at PACE Head Start is to provide a family-centered child development program for eligible children in the greater New Bedford area. Families are empowered through a range of services which include: an early education experience which builds upon a child's strengths and engages parents as partners, childcare options that address the needs of families, meaningful parent involvement opportunities, resources and supports to overcome obstacles and improve quality of life, and collaborations with community agencies. Services are provided in an environment that promotes respect and celebrates our community among children, families, and staff.
Call (508) 999 -1286 for more information.
Application Process
To apply for services, please print out the application (located at the top of the page) and send the completed application to jfox@paceheadstart.org.
For more information, general assistance, or to request the application in another language, please call (508) 999-1286 and ask to speak with Family Services.
Eligibility
Children from birth to 5 years old meeting income criteria are eligible for the program.
Programs may enroll some children from families whose incomes are higher than the federal poverty level if they meet other eligibility requirements.
Families with circumstances such as homelessness, children in foster care, or receiving SNAP, TANF, or SSI may also qualify for services.
Meet Sam, Head Start's Therapy Dog!
Recently, PACE Head Start has explored several ways to integrate more mental health support for children and their families. In February 2023, a new role was created when Sam, a golden-doodle therapy dog, joined the Head Start team.
With the support of a United Way of New Bedford grant, Sam attends school three days a week, greets children and families during their arrival and departure, and provides support in the classroom by joining the children in all kinds of activities throughout the day. Sam travels between the two preschool sites but spends most of his time at Head Start’s Smith Street location, where his owner, Kristine Silva, is the children’s services manager.
Read more about how Sam helps our children, parents, and staff! Click here - Sam's Story
Philosophy of Education
Our philosophy is an individualized approach to early childhood education, which builds upon a child’s strengths and promotes a positive self-image while guiding the child toward the development of School Readiness Skills.
Admissions
All families must complete a program application.
Children are prioritized for enrollment based on individual and family needs.
Ten percent of enrollment opportunities are reserved for children with disabilities; parents to children with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Contact Us
32 Madison Street,
New Bedford, MA 02740
Ph: (508) 999-1286
Fax: (508) 979-5080
Email: info@paceheadstart.org
247 Smith Street,
New Bedford, MA 02740
Ph: (508) 984-3557
Fax: (508) 984-3555
Email: info@paceheadstart.org
Program Director: Jill Fox
Email: jfox@paceheadstart.org
Jill Fox has an MS in Early Childhood Education and serves on the Massachusetts Head Start Association Board of Directors. Jill has been the program director at PACE since 2015.
Social Media
PARENTS ARE OUR PARTNERS
- Supports parents as primary educators, nurturers, and advocates for their children.
- Assures that every parent has an opportunity for a significant experience in Head Start.
- Affirms the policy-making role of parents, which is the foundation of Head Start’s unique success.
SERVICE AREAS
- New Bedford
- Acushnet
- Dartmouth
- Fairhaven
SERVICES
- Part-Day (September-Mid May): 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- Dose and Duration (September- June): 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
- Full-Day (All year): 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM (currently)
*Full day will return to 7 AM - 5 PM once ratios are restored
This website is supported by Grant Number 01CH011836 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.