Week of the Young Child was recognized this week at Head Start of Bellefontaine with a visit from Mayor David Crissman during a Fam Jam family engagement event Wednesday, April 9.
Crissman presented a proclamation after visiting with families and touring classrooms at the Union Station site.
Week of the Young Child is celebrated April 6-12, with a theme for each day of the week. During the Mayor’s visit, it was “Work Together Wednesday” and each classroom had activities encouraging children to work together.
The mayor also recognized Head Start Day, which is April 10.
“We are very thankful Mayor Crissman recognizes the importance of early childhood education and the impact Head Start has on our community,” said Christina Neill, Logan County Head Start early childhood services coordinator.
The Week of the Young Child is an opportunity to raise awareness of the critical role that early childhood education plays in the future of our children and our society, Neill noted.
The first years of a child’s life are the period of the most rapid brain development and lay the foundation for future learning. However, many parents in our community are facing significant challenges in accessing quality childcare, which often forces them to leave or change jobs. This disrupts family stability and negatively impacts our state and national economy.
High-quality early childhood programs, such as Head Start, provide invaluable support to children and families. These programs ensure that children receive the early experiences they need to thrive, setting them on a path for long-term success. Unfortunately, insufficient and inconsistent public investment in early childhood education has led to staffing shortages, low compensation for educators, and challenges in meeting the demand for childcare services. These issues not only impact children’s futures but also hinder parents’ ability to maintain stable employment.
Head Start is an important part of the community, offering a high-quality early childhood education that benefits our youngest learners and contributes to the well-being of families.
“We believe that it is important to recognize the vital role early childhood educators play in shaping the future workforce, and to affirm their value within our community,” Neill said.
Logan County Head Start is enrolling for the 2025-26 school year and spots are filling fast. Apply at www.corsp.org or stop by the center located at Union Station, 613 Hamilton St., Bellefontaine, to complete an application.
Head Start is a free program for eligible families that runs five days a week for 6.5 hours a day. Meals are included. Head Start classrooms in Logan County are located at Union Station, Benjamin Logan Elementary and Indian Lake Elementary.