The Y of Central Maryland is one of the largest providers of Head Start services in Maryland. We are the Grantee for Head Start in Baltimore County and are a Delegate of the Baltimore City Head Start program. Our main objective is to prepare young, economically disadvantaged children for success in school and life. We provide comprehensive early intervention to low-income children and their families and help support parents as the first and primary educator of their children. Collectively, we serve more than 950 infants, toddlers and preschool children through our Head Start programs.
The Y's Baltimore County Head Start program has been designated a National Center of Excellence by the Department of Health Services. Our program is only one of ten Head Start programs in the country, and the only Y in the U.S. to receive this designation.
Throughout Baltimore County, we provide a traditional Head Start program for preschool children ages 3 – 5 and an Early Head Start program for infants and toddlers, age 6 months – 3 years. Our goal is to ensure that every child is school-ready. In fact, Baltimore County Head Start children tested 41 – 69% higher in school readiness than other low income children across the state. We work hand-in-hand with low income families and local communities to strengthen the family unit through comprehensive services that include:
Traditional Head Start is a FREE part-day program operating Monday – Thursday from either 8:30am – 12:00pm or 12:00pm – 3:30pm. Transportation is available within a limited area for each location. The program runs from September – early June.
Early Head Start is a FREE full-day program operating Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm. Transportation is not available for this program. Early Head Start is a year-round program. It is also offered as a home-based program where Family Development Specialists work with families in their homes on a weekly basis.
Using the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence Curriculum, we teach skills related to school readiness as recommended and measured by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
The Core Knowledge curriculum is skills-based and involves the family as active partners in healthy growth and development. Working with parents, we prepare children to be successful by teaching them age-appropriate fundamentals.
We believe in developing the whole child: spirit, mind and body. For that, we not only focus on school-readiness, but social development as well.
All Baltimore County Head Start centers are MSDE accredited and licensed.
In Early Head Start, we use the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers. The philosophy behind this curriculum is that in the early years, children explore the world around them by using all their senses. Through use of this curriculum, we aim to:
As in traditional Head Start, we also focus on the full development of the whole child: spirit, mind & body.
The Y Emily Price Jones Head Start program is a Delegate
of the Baltimore City Head Start program. We provide
preschool children age 3 & 4, and their families, with comprehensive early intervention services. Our goal is to ensure that every child is school-ready. We work hand-in-hand with low income families and local communities to strengthen the family unit through comprehensive services that include:
We use the Creative Curriculum; a developmentally appropriate program that promotes children’s social-emotional development and learning in the core areas of:
I Am Moving, I Am Learning is an education through movement program that supports health & wellness while teaching/reinforcing academic concepts related to math, science and literacy. I Am Moving, I Am Learning is funded by the PNC Grow Up Great Foundation.
In addition to developing the motor system and laying the foundation for a positive attitude about physical activity, through the use of movement experiences, educators can stimulate problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and reinforce a variety of academic concepts.
The Emily Price Jones Head Start program uses monthly unit themes to incorporate the Head Start Performance Outcomes for Math and Science and support the school readiness indicators identified by the Maryland Model for School Readiness. To support classroom instruction, Y Preschool Specialists provide 30 minutes per week of I Am Moving, I Am Learning programming to extend math and science concepts through music and movement.
Additionally, Y Preschool Specialists provide training to parents on a monthly basis so they are familiar with the songs and understand the concepts that are being taught.
Baltimore City Head Start is a FREE full-day or part-day program operating Monday – Friday between the hours of 7:30am – 4:00pm. Please see Locations & Contact Info for specific hours for each center. Transportation is not available. The program runs from September – early June.
To enroll in a Head Start program, contact the center
closest to your home. Our Family Service Workers will explain
the process and arrange a time to meet with you.
Some centers offer wrap-around care for families that are attending school, working or participating in job training. This is a fee-based service. We accept Purchas of Care vouchers.
410-248-0372
4375 Ebenezer Rd.
Perry Hall, MD 21236
410-391-1566
799 Back River Neck Rd.
Essex, MD 21221
Offers part-day morning or afternoon Head Start. Serves zip codes 2122 and 21220.
410-602-8190
6838 Alter Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21207
Offers part-day morning or afternoon Head Start. Serves zip codes 21133, 21207, 21208, 21244, and 21215.
410-788-8802
27 Main Street
Catonsville, MD 21228
Offers part-day morning or afternoon Head Start. Serves zip codes 21133, 21207, 21228, and 21244.
410-282-6977
641 Main Street
Baltimore, MD 21222
Offers part-day morning or afternoon Head Start. Serves zip code 21222.
410-789-4404
4165 McDowell Lane
Lansdowne, MD 21227
Offers part-day morning Head Start and full-day Early Head Start. Wrap-around care is available for both Head Start and Early Head Start families. Serves zip code 21227.
410-665-0951
4601 Fullerton Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21236
Offers part-day morning or afternoon Head Start and full-day Early Head Start. Wrap-around care is available for Early Head Start families. Serves zip codes 21206, 21220, 21237, and 21236.
410-288-0706
1728 Merritt Park Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21222
Offers part-day morning Head Start. Wrap-around care is available. Serves zip codes 21219, 21222, and 21224.
410-536-4611
3290 Kessler St.
Lansdowne, MD 21227
Offers part-day morning or afternoon Head Start. Serves zip code 21227.
410-668-8315
1801 Glen Keith Blvd.
Towson, MD 21204
Offers part-day morning or afternoon Head Start. Serves zip codes 21204, 21234, 21239, and 21286.
To participate in Baltimore City Head Start, you must be a Baltimore City resident.
410-367-9380
3510 Eldorado Ave.
Baltimore, MD 2107
Offers full-day Head Start from 8am – 4pm, or 7:45am – 2:25pm.
410-362-0466
3305 Winsor Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21216
Offers full-day Head Start from 8am – 4pm.
410-669-1470
2030 Elgin Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21217
Offers full-day Head Start from 8am – 4pm.
410-523-4582
1600 N. Payson St.
Baltimore, MD 21217
Offers part-day Head Start from 8am – 11:30am or 12:30pm – 4pm.
410-366-5028
3608 Chestnut Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211
Offers part-day Head Start from 7:30am – 10:45am or 11:30am –3:30pm.
To enroll in a Head Start program, contact the center
closest to your home. Our Family Service Workers will
explain the process and arrange a time to meet with you to complete an application. Please be prepared to supply the following documents:
Friday, May 18, 2012: The Catonsville Family Center Y pool is now open. Thank you for your patience.
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The Y Association Office and Journeys billing offices in Harford and Anne Arundel County have moved! To reach the Y Journeys billing office, please call 443-322-8000. Our new office address is 303 W. Chesapeake Ave., Baltimore, MD 21204. Please make a note of this. Thank you.
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