NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Pre-school: it seems like such a simple time in your life — but the foundation it builds for kids can last a lifetime.

What You Need To Know

  • The Head Start program in Niagara Falls will soon be run by the school district
  • That will make it one of only three districts in the country doing so
  • The program will allow the district to know the kids and their needs earlier

For the 46% of families with kids under 5 who are living in poverty in Niagara Falls, these programs might be too pricey.

Enter the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, free offerings that provide education services, health screenings, nutrition information and more to low-income families and kids with disabilities.

“I could pave streets and I can trim trees and do all of those things, and what that does is it's really just changing the window dressing,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino. “If you want to change the fabric of the community, you have to attack those things that are critical”

Starting in November, the Head Start program in the city will be run by the school district. Helping it along is a federal grant providing $2.1 million each year for the next five years.

In total: 141 seats for kids from 3 to 5 years old – 40 seats for those from six months to three years old. That’s on top of the pre-K the district already offers.

“That breaks the pipeline of poverty,” said Niagara Falls City School District Superintendent Mark Laurrie. “That breaks the pipeline of not having enough words spoken at home. That breaks the pipeline of not knowing people.”

It does help cut down on redundant administrative positions.

More importantly though, the district will get to know the kids, and their needs, earlier.

“I'd like to submit to you that we have a greater resource in our community than the falls. And that is our children,” said Robert DiFrancesco, former principal, Niagara Falls High School and Lasalle Middle School.

Everyone employed at the current Head Start program will keep their jobs when the district takes over. Plus, they’ll get more training in educational practices from Niagara College staff.

If you’re interested in working for Head Start – or enrolling your kids – you can call 716-804-7100.