What is Home Based?

At Tri-County Head Start our philosophy is “Parents are the Best Teachers”. During the home visit, a parent is the primary teacher for their child. The Home Visitor provides ideas and support. Parents will plan activities for visits and provide learning materials from common household items. Together you will collect information on your child and track their progress using the TS Gold online assessment system.

Home Visitors visit their families each week for 1.5 hours. Federal regulations require 32 home visits per program year.

Parents and their child also attend one of our center locations for a classroom experience twice a month. We call this SCHOOL!. It’s a great way to introduce children to a classroom setting and for parents to meet other families. SCHOOL! is planned by the families and the home visitor together. The activities will build on home visit experiences, and help prepare your child for the classroom setting.

What does the Home Visitor do?

  • Visits your home at the same time each week and stays for one and one-half hours.
  • Shows you how to use things in your home to teach your child.
  • Coaches parents on how to interact with their children.
  • Assists you in finding what community resources are available for such things as nutrition, mental health, family planning, and special education services.
  • Participates in bi-monthly SCHOOL! sessions.
  • Keeps records on your child’s progress and shares them with you.
  • Explains what and how your child learns through all kinds of fun experiences.

What does the Home Based parent get to do?

  • Be an active participant during the home visit.
  • Be the lead teacher for their child during the home visit and throughout the week.
  • Plan and enjoy SCHOOL! time with their children and home visitor.
  • Plan activities for the child and family.

Why are parents so important to the Home Based Program?

  • Parents have taught their children many things from the day their children were born. A Home Based program enhances and uses this closeness as an effective way of teaching.
  • When parents are directly involved in teaching their children, the children do better for a longer period of time after they enter school.
  • As parents develop confidence and learn new ways to teach, they are better able to teach their own children.
  • Parents know their children better than anyone else. They give valuable suggestions to the Home Visitor on what their child should learn and how they learn best.

Check out our Locations section to view all of our locations or to find a center in your area.