Head Start and Early Head Start Programs promote school readiness.

This means children are ready for school, families are ready to support their children's learning, and schools are ready for children.

Head Start views school readiness as children possessing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in school and for later learning and life. Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development are all essential ingredients of school readiness.

Building readiness is a process from birth to five that takes into account each child’s development.