ABOUT

Our Mission

Southern Utah University Head Start is a federally funded, community governed, preschool program spanning 25,000 square miles in six counties of Southwestern Utah.  Well-trained, dedicated staff provide high quality education, health, family and support services to over 440 low income and/or at-risk Head Start families.

Head Start's Promise:

• To Children - provide a safe environment for positive experiences in all domains of learning, preparing them to succeed in school and in life.
• To Families - support parents in their role as their child's most important teacher and advocate, and provide access to community resources as they achieve self sufficiency.
• To Staff - promote a climate of respect, ongoing training and support, giving them skills to achieve and maintain high professional and program expectations.

General Information

Head Start staff provide a broad range of services to approximately 440 pre-kindergarten children and their families through the SUU  Head Start program. The overall goal of Head Start is to increase social competence of young children in low income families. Social competence takes into account the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of children and leads to effectiveness in dealing with the present environment and later responsibilities in school and life.

SUU Head Start offers preschool services in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, and Washington counties. Besides preschool education and socialization experiences for Head Start children, Head Start families are offered assistance in health and nutrition, literacy, parenting skills and social services. Head Start individualizes services for each child and stresses strong parent and community involvement.

Hours of Operation

Head Start classes meet 4 hours a day Monday through Thursday during the regular school year (late August - early May). Centers in Cedar City, Hurricane Valley, and St. George have morning and afternoon sessions. SUU Head Start Centers are located in Beaver, Cedar City, Delta, Enoch, Escalante, Fillmore, Kanab, Hurricane Valley, Milford, St. George, Panguitch, and Parowan.

The Central Office located in Cedar City is open year round Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed during state and federal holidays. Please call 435-586-6070 or toll free at 1-800-796-6070 for additional information. 

Additional Information

• Don't live in Southwestern Utah? Locate a Head Start program near you using the Head Start Locator.
• Parent resources from the Office of Head Start
• Visit the National Head Start Association web site to see what is going on nationally and how you can help.
• Read about the Head Start Performance Standards.

SUU Head Start is a program of the SUU Office of Government Relations & Regional Services.