*First friendships blossom at Head Start. April 2025.*

Chula Vista, CA — Excitement filled the air Wednesday afternoon at St. John’s Head Start. As school let out, children and their families flocked to the school’s field for a Día del Niño celebration hosted by St. John’s Episcopal Church. Día del Niño, or Day of the Child, is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions children make in our world and promote their well-being.

*Children show off their painted hands at Día del Niño. April 2025*.

Head Start children enjoyed activities such as face paint, arts and craft stations, lawn games, and a raffle. Music and laughter rang throughout the event as children played and engaged with the activities and each other.

The Día del Niño celebration was a clear display of the impactful community that ECS Head Start has built. Melanie Flores, a St. John’s Head Start parent, shared that seeing all of the students, teachers, and parents interacting at the event was exciting and an opportunity to connect in meaningful ways. She shared that ECS Head Start has been a supportive program for her family. “I think that ECS is a great program. I would highly recommend it,” she said. “It’s going to be the best decision you’ve ever done. It’s really going to help them in their educational future.”

*Sunshine and bubbles bring out big smiles. April 2025.*

ECS Head Start provides quality early childhood education and wholistic care for the whole family. It creates a necessary support system and steady foundation for over 2,000 families every year.

Recent federal funding threats to Head Start attracted even more parents to the event, including Evelyn Selmon. Evelyn’s daughter, who attends ECS Zamorano Head Start, is a prime example of the impact Head Start can have. “When [my daughter] first started, she was shy, kind of in her shell. Now, I see her blossoming and socializing with other students,” Evelyn said. “I’m really amazed with her progress here.” Evelyn came to Día del Niño in support of keeping Head Start so that other children can benefit the same way her own daughter did.

*Head Start staff enjoy celebrating their students. April 2025.*

The community that ECS Head Start forms would not be possible without community partners such as St. John’s Episcopal Church. Jeff Bates, the Junior Warden at St. John’s, expressed how impactful it was for the church to host the celebration. “I’m so happy to see not only the partnership between St. John’s and ECS Head Start, but just the kids having so much fun and that we’re able to be here and help serve the community, our neighbors that are right around the school and church,” he said.

ECS is grateful to St. John’s for hosting a fun event to celebrate our Head Start children and promoting the importance of caring for their educational, social, and emotional wellbeing.

To learn more about Head Start visit Head Start & Early Head Start — Episcopal Community Services.