Room for more in Head Start

COLUMBIA — Boone County’s Head Start preschool program still has a few empty carpet squares this year.

The preschool program caters to children from 3 to 5 years old and meets for four hours a day, four days a week. The classroom setting provides curriculum-based activities, health and nutritional services and family involvement.

Head Start is a nationwide program with an annual federal enrollment of more than 900,000 children and a budget of more than $6 billion, according to the Office of Head Start’s Web site. Last year, 17,451 Missouri children were enrolled in the program. Head Start is operated in Columbia by Central Missouri Community Action.

In addition to the vacancies in Boone County’s program, Howard and Moniteau counties’ Head Start programs also have spaces available.

There is no enrollment cost. Children must be from qualified low-income families.

For Boone County, please contact Dotty Sapp at 443-8706 ext. 265. In Howard County, call Melissa Frevert at 660-248-2227. In Moniteau County, call Brenda Knipp at 573-796-3519.