Head Start gave Alma and Oscar a sense of peace and security when they sent Olivia to preschool. March 2025.
Before Head Start, Olivia, a three-year-old diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was attending physical therapy to help with her upper core mobility. The therapy was going well, but Olivia was very shy and lacked confidence. She was learning at home, but she had no outlet to develop socially and was not talking much, causing her parents — Alma and Oscar — concern.
Understandably, Alma and Oscar were anxious about their daughter going to school for the first time. “We were very hesitant, scared at the beginning,” Alma shared. Would Olivia be cared for? Would her disability affect her preschool experience? Would she be comfortable in an unfamiliar environment?
Luckily, Alma’s sister told them about ECS Head Start. When they discovered that a Head Start center was only a few blocks from Alma’s job, they knew they had found a place for Olivia to begin her education, but the program exceeded their expectations, transforming from a school to a family.
Olivia blossomed with the support of Head Start. *July 2025.
The growth Alma and Oscar have seen in their daughter is powerful. “As soon as she started coming here for, like, a week, she was just so much more open. Her attitude changed,” Oscar said. The warm and welcoming environment of Head Start helped Olivia to open up to those around her. “I noticed within the week, she started to try to talk and stuff because other kids were talking.”
As an only child, the chance for Olivia to play and bond with other children has made a huge difference. “I think it brought more of her personality out, because she likes to be around other people and other kids, especially,” Alma said. “That's where we saw a lot of change in her.” Preschool is a crucial time for young learners to develop social skills, and ECS Head Start prioritizes that development. “She's super confident for everything that's going on with her and then it's really helped her to express how she feels, what she wants,” Alma said.
Head Start embraces and accommodates each child so they can thrive. *July 2025.
The warm ECS embrace that Olivia experienced expands from the teachers and staff to the other children. “It is nice to see that she is accepted here, and everybody loves her. It's nice to feel that,” her mother said. “It's like a big family. I see all the teachers saying, ‘good morning’ and ‘bye’ to Olivia. I don't know all the teachers, but they definitely know her.”
Head Start has also provided Olivia with a deeply enriching academic experience. “She's learned a lot. She's learned her numbers, her colors, her shapes,” Alma said. “She's a really good listener and she asks a lot of questions, and she always wants to know everything.”
The teachers meet with parents to set goals for their children, then work hand-in-hand with them to accomplish those goals. The staff is accommodating and considerate toward each child, which was especially impactful for Olivia’s needs. “There's always been somebody holding my daughter or within arm's reach of her, so I know that she's safe,” Oscar said.
Head Start established a key academic and social-emotional foundation for Olivia. *July 2025.
Olivia has enjoyed ECS Head Start throughout the past three years, but this year she will be off to a new adventure: kindergarten. Her parents are sad to leave the program, but they expressed that it has prepared her for the next step. “I think she's ready. I think she’s been ready,” Alma said. “They prepared her.” The once quiet and reserved Olivia has transformed into a confident young girl ready to take on whatever is next.
Head Start aims to provide a wholistic education, caring for each student academically, socially, and beyond. “I wouldn’t change this experience for her for any other school,” Oscar said. Oscar and Alma recommend Head Start to any other family looking for quality early childhood education. “The experience has been great, and I don't have anything else to say other than ‘bring your kids.’ It's a great place.”
To learn more about Head Start and how the quality early childhood education could benefit you and your children visit Head Start & Early Head Start — Episcopal Community Services.
*Caption dates may not be exact.