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GOLDENDALE CENTER

Head Start in Goldendale started on September 11th, 1967.  The first center still stands today as a Historical Home located at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Darland Street.  After some shifting of locals, in the fall of 1993, the Goldendale School District gave permission for Head Start to put a manufactured building on their campus at 920 S. Schuster.  Since then, we have expanded services to offer a variety of options for families of young children.

The Goldendale Center offers the following Head Start preschool (3-5 yrs) programs: 

• Center Based (5 half days of class per week and 2 home visits per school year)
• Combination (3 half days of class per week and one home visit per month)
• Full Day (childcare, 5 full days per week and 2 home visits per year)

The Goldendale Center offers the following Early Head Start (0-3yrs) programs:

• Home Base (weekly home visits and 2 group socializations per month)
• Combo(2yr old class, 2 half days per week and 2 home visits per month)
• Full Day (childcare, 5 full days and 2 home visits per year)

Goldendale Head Start has a very rich and diverse history.  It started only 2 years after project Head Start was implemented throughout the nation.  In a Goldendale Sentinel Article dated December 28, 1967, Dr. G. J. Timmer said he had been asked many times, “what the difference between Head Start and babysitting is”.  Bea Fordyce, Head Start Teacher at that time, explained that, “it is quite different from babysitting because Head Start has a definite program to lengthen the children’s attention span and prepares them for school”.  Some things haven’t changed!  Our teachers work in partnership with families to provide classroom/ home visit activities and experiences designed to meet the interests, strengths, and needs of all children.

Goldendale currently serves 68 preschool aged children and 28 children from birth to age three and their families.  We currently have 23 staff.  Our program is committed to teacher, parent, and volunteer training; professional development for all.

Mid-Columbia Children's Council, Inc., 541-386-2010 | Email | Center Directory
Helping children and families reach their unique and diverse potentials.