Doña Ana County Head Start is administered through New Mexico State University, College of Education, and was initiated in 1984. The Head Start program services the population around Las Cruces New Mexico, a community of over 85,000 residents. We are presently funded to serve 258 preschool children (3-5 years) and their families. The center based classes are offered in nine locations in Dona Ana County. Of this enrollment population, at least 10% of the children are identified as having a developmental delay/ disability based on state diagnostic criteria.

Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low income families. The Head Start program is operated by local non-profit organizations in almost every state in the country and its territories.

Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. They also have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. Head Start children receive health screenings and exams.

Head Start helps all children succeed. Services are offered to meet the special needs of children with disabilities. Most children in Head Start are between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. Services are available to infants and toddlers in Early Head Start. 

Program Philosophy 

Parents are a child’s primary educator and as such we will have greater success in meeting our program goals by actively supporting and involving a child’s family in his/her education.

In order for a child to learn effectively, he/she must have a strong positive self-concept, which is developed by immersing a child in positive social environments while engaging in learning experiences.

A preschool program must address the needs of the total child. This includes medical, dental and nutritional needs as well as social, cultural, emotional, and intellectual needs.

Children learn actively, using all of their senses to interact with their environment.

• Children learn best when provided experiences that are:
  • age appropriate (correct for that child’s developmental state)
  • individually appropriate (correct for that child’s uniqueness)
  • culturally and linguistically appropriate.