Nelsonville Head Start

09/01/2026

Athens County Job & Family Services is pleased to announce the launch of two new community assistance programs designed to support essential needs for residents throughout Athens County.

✅Senior Emergency Assistance (SEA) Program
The SEA Program provides critical support to Athens County residents aged 60 and older who are experiencing emergent or urgent needs. Eligible households may receive up to $1,000 in assistance.

✅School Footwear Program
This program offers up to $200 per income‑eligible, school‑age child to purchase shoes and socks for the 2026-2027 school year through participating vendors.

Applications for both programs will be available at the front desks of our Nelsonville and Millfield office locations. For questions, please contact us at 740‑797‑2523.

Office Locations:
📍 Main Office – 13183 State Route 13, Millfield, OH 45761
📍 OhioMeansJobs – Athens County – 10 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, OH 45764

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

Head Start/Early Head Start Parents:
We will be holding a parent workshop and would like your input. Can you please fill out this survey. Some parents have already completed it! Thank you! https://forms.gle/kLYqCTeKTByeoYaw6

08/28/2026

Growing, Learning & Getting Ready for School!
Did you know that ages 3-5 are full of BIG changes and even bigger learning moments? During these years, children are developing their language, social skills, independence, problem-solving abilities, and confidence... All at their own UNIQUE pace!
And sometimes, your little one just isn't quite ready for a traditional classroom yet, and that's okay!!
That's where Head Start's Home Based Program comes in! Instead of your child having to go to school each week, a Head Start home visitor comes right to your home for an hour and a half once a week. Together, you and your child can learn, play, explore, and build important skills in a comfortable and familiar environment.
But we know that learning to feel comfortable in a school setting is important too! That's why our program also offers TWO socializations each month, where children and their parents can come together to play, learn, make friends, meet new faces, and become familiar with the classroom environment.
These experiences help children gradually build the confidence and skills they need to take that next BIG step toward school... WITHOUT rushing them before they're ready.
Because school readiness isn't just about knowing your ABC's... It's about feeling confident, connected, curious, and ready to learn!

08/27/2026

🌟 Did You Know? Messy Play Is Learning in Disguise! 🌟
Today, we explored oobleck, a fun sensory activity made from cornstarch and water. While it may look like simple messy fun, activities like this provide incredible opportunities for early childhood development!
👐 Fine Motor Skills Children strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers as they squeeze, scoop, pour, pinch, and manipulate the oobleck. These skills are essential for writing, cutting, and self-help tasks.
🏃 Gross Motor Skills Reaching, stretching, mixing, carrying containers, and engaging their whole bodies during sensory play helps develop coordination, balance, and body awareness.
🧠 Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Oobleck encourages children to observe, predict, and experiment. They discover that it behaves differently when squeezed versus when left alone, helping them build scientific thinking and problem-solving skills.
🤝 Conflict Resolution & Social Skills When children share materials and workspace, they practice taking turns, communicating their needs, negotiating solutions, and cooperating with peers. These experiences build important social-emotional skills.
📚 Language & Literacy Development Messy play creates endless opportunities for conversation. Children learn and use descriptive words such as sticky, smooth, hard, soft, runny, and thick. They ask questions, share ideas, and develop vocabulary through meaningful experiences.
🔢 Mathematics Skills Children naturally explore math concepts by measuring ingredients, comparing amounts, counting scoops, and discussing concepts like more, less, full, and empty. They also explore patterns, volume, and cause-and-effect relationships.
✨ Messy play is much more than making a mess. It supports creativity, curiosity, independence, and confidence while helping children reach developmental goals across multiple learning domains.
Today's oobleck activity was a wonderful reminder that some of the best learning happens when children are free to explore, experiment, and get a little messy!

08/25/2026

Home Based Families: 🍩✨ Donut Forget! Early Head Start Socialization is Tomorrow! ✨🍩
Join us for a sweet morning filled with fun, learning, and connection! We have so many exciting donut-themed activities planned, including:
🍩 A delicious donut treat
👩‍🍳 Early Head Start Bakery Role Play
🎨 Design Your Own Donut Art Station
🤲 Decorate Your Own Donut Sensory Play
🏆 Pool Noodle Donut Stacking Challenge
👶 A special play area just for our wee babies!
This is a wonderful opportunity to make connections, build relationships with other families, and support your child's developmental goals through play and exploration.
We can't wait to spend this fun-filled time with you and your little ones! 💕 Hope to see everyone at the Nelsonville Head Start from 11:30 to 1:00 🍩💛