Next Door Head Start program strives to provide a supportive climate for all staff members, children and their families so that they feel wholly welcomed and supported in their endeavors to reach their full potential.  Children who participate in Next Door Head Start develop into confident, independent and pro-social learners that will successfully transition from Next Door to elementary schools throughout the Milwaukee area.

The Head Start program appeals to neighborhood families for a variety of reasons including:

• Head Start is successful in building social skills
• Children do improve academically and socially through program involvement
• The program provides information to parents on useful community resources
• Many opportunities exist for parents to get involved
• The staff are professional and helpful
• Parents appreciate the program’s emphasis on families
• Family support specialists effectively work with parents to problem solve
• Home visits make the home environment safer for children

Next Door Head Start had several different types of program services including: full-day classes for four-year-olds; half-day classes (Monday – Thursday) for three-year­­-olds; off-site full-day, year-round blended class for three- and four-year-olds; off-site full-day, year-round class for three-olds; and home-based services for three- and four-year-olds. 

Next Door Charter School allows four-year old children enrolled in half-day Head Start programming to receive a full day of high quality educational services.  The home-based services provide flexibility in the range of services offered to young children and their families.  Many home-based families transition from Next Door Early Head Start to Next Door Head Start.

The Next Door Head Start Parent Policy Committee fulfills its role of shared program governance according to the standards outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards.   The Family Support staff worked closely with parents to move families toward economic self-sufficiency.  Parents have identified this concern as important, and the program offers regular trainings and workshops in order to help parents gain a better understanding of financial issues.

A primary goal of this program is to help families establish a long-term relationship with a primary health care provider.  Next Door works with each family to secure and record medical and dental homes for participating children.  This relationship is crucial to achieving effective health-related prevention and intervention services.  To assist in this area, Next Door has developed several collaborative relationships including Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Children’s Health in Metcalfe Park and Concordia (CHIMC), the Medical College of Wisconsin, Cardinal Stritch University’s College of Nursing, the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Dental Center’s Clear Path Program, and the City of Milwaukee Health Department.