NMSU Head Start has been serving children and families in Doña Ana County since 1984. Administered through New Mexico State University’s College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation (HEST), the program provides high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive family support services to eligible children and families throughout the Las Cruces area.

Currently funded to serve 155 preschool children ages 3 to 5 and their families, NMSU Head Start operates center-based classrooms at five locations across Doña Ana County. In alignment with Head Start requirements, at least 10% of enrollment opportunities are reserved for children with identified developmental delays or disabilities.

Head Start is a federally funded program that promotes school readiness and supports the healthy development of young children from families with limited incomes. Through engaging learning experiences, nutritious meals and snacks, health screenings, and family partnership services, children receive the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life.

NMSU Head Start is committed to serving all children, including those with disabilities, by providing individualized supports and inclusive learning environments that foster growth, development, and belonging.

Our Mission

To provide a safe, nurturing, and inclusive early learning environment where children and families grow and thrive together. We are committed to delivering high-quality, comprehensive services that support the whole child, honor family strengths, and build strong foundations for lifelong learning and success.

Our Vision

We envision a program where every child feels safe, valued, and connected, empowered to grow in kindness, experience joy, and develop the confidence and resilience needed to navigate the world. Every family is supported, strengthened, and equipped to thrive alongside their child.

At NMSU Head Start, we believe that strong relationships are the foundation of learning, growth, and lifelong success. We recognize parents and families as a child's first and most important teachers and value collaborative partnerships that support children's development and family well-being.

We believe children thrive in safe, nurturing, and inclusive environments where they feel valued, respected, and connected. Positive relationships with families, teachers, peers, and the community foster children's confidence, resilience, sense of belonging, and love of learning.

We are committed to supporting the whole child by addressing each child's cognitive, social, emotional, physical, cultural, linguistic, health, and developmental needs. We recognize that every child develops at their own pace and deserves individualized opportunities to learn, explore, and succeed.

We believe:

• Families are children's primary teachers and strongest advocates. Meaningful family engagement strengthens outcomes for children and supports family success.
• Every child is capable, competent, and full of potential when provided with supportive relationships and enriching experiences.
• Children learn best through active exploration, play, discovery, and hands-on experiences that engage all their senses.
• Learning experiences should be developmentally appropriate, individually responsive, culturally sustaining, and linguistically inclusive.
• Inclusive environments that embrace diversity and support children of all abilities foster belonging, equity, and success for every child.
• High-quality education, health, nutrition, mental health, and family support services work together to build strong foundations for school readiness and lifelong learning.
• Strong partnerships among families, staff, schools, and community organizations create opportunities for children and families to thrive.

Our Promise: Strong relationships build strong futures, for every child, every family, every day.