RECAP/Western Orange County Head Start is a comprehensive child development program which serves preschool children and their families.  The overall goal is to increase the school readiness of young children from low-income families.

The program provides services in the areas of education; medical dental and mental health; nutrition; and parent involvement.  In addition, the individualized program is responsive to each child’s developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage.

The program serves a total of 196 eligible children between the ages of three and five.  The Middletown and Scotchtown centers are located at 157 Linden Ave. and 240 Midland Lakes Rd., respectively.  The Port Jervis center is located at 31 West Main St.  Among the three sites, there are thirteen classrooms including five full-day and eight part-day sessions in which children play and learn in a healthy and safe environment.  All classrooms contain a child to adult ratio ranging from 7 or 8 children to 1 adult depending on the age of the children.   At least 10% of the children meet criteria for “special needs” children.  The school year operates from September through June.  The full-day classes run from 8:30 am or 9:00am to 3:00pm five days per week.  The part-day classes run from 8:00am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 4:00pm four days per week.  Children have the opportunity to learn hands-on skills including, but not limited to, interaction with block building, dramatic play, creative areas, music, sand, and water play, as well as develop literacy and math skills through a developmentally appropriate approach.

Our Program

Enrollment

Calendar

Our Offices

Middletown Head Start - Main Office

157 Linden Avenue, Middletown, NY  10940

Main Office:  (845) 343-4191

Fax Number:  (845) 956-1271

Port Jervis Head Start

31 Main Street, Port Jervis, NY  12771

Main Office:  (845) 858-6821

Fax Number:  (845) 858-8176

Scotchtown Head Start

31 Freezer Road, Scotchtown, NY  10941

Main Office:  (845) 692-6567

Fax Number:  (845) 692-6585

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Our Mission:

To provide a quality child and family development program for all Head Start families in the Western Orange County.

Values:

• Excellence in outcomes for children and families
• Teamwork within and outside Head Start
• Respect for child and family strengths
• Respect for cultural diversity
• Communication between staff, families, and decision making groups
• Initiative, creativity, humor, and flexibility
• Empowerment of families and staff to do their jobs
• Skills building and training for staff and families

Goals:

• To foster the growth and development of Head Start children.
• To foster the health and well-being of Head Start children
• To foster family literacy in Head Start families
• To foster strong family units in Head Start families
• To create a diverse workforce that is developed professionally through high quality training.

Head Start Provides

• Breakfast, lunch, and snack.
• An individualized developmentally appropriate program for each child.
• Screenings in the following areas: developmental, speech/language, hearing, vision, and dental
• Children with disabilities can receive services on-site through collaboration with the LEA’s
• Nutrition Education
• Medical/Dental follow-up
• Supportive services for families
• Two contracted classrooms of Universal Pre-Kindergarten  through collaboration with Enlarged City School District of Middletown
• Parent Involvement
• Serving on Policy Council and Parent Committees
• Volunteering in classrooms
• Skill building opportunities for families
• Participating in workshops, parent activities, parenting classes, and Adult Education classes