Bedford, Iowa – October is Head Start Awareness Month, and in Taylor County, the occasion is also an opportunity to celebrate what can happen when local organizations work together for young children and families.
For more than 60 years, Head Start has helped children build the skills they need for school while supporting parents and addressing the health, nutrition and developmental needs that are so important during the early years.
In Bedford, MATURA Head Start partners with Tinker Tots Preschool to make Head Start available locally to Taylor County families. The partnership combines the advantages of a community-based preschool setting with the comprehensive services and family support that are central to Head Start.
“Head Start is more than a preschool program; it’s a foundation for lifelong learning and family empowerment,” said Joel Lamb, MATURA Head Start Director. “We see the difference every day in the lives of children who are better prepared for school and families who feel supported and connected.”
The Bedford program includes a full-day Head Start classroom for 3-year-olds, with a morning half-day option also available. The arrangement gives families choices while allowing MATURA and Tinker Tots to share resources and work toward the same goal: giving local children a strong start before they enter school.
