Mission, Vision, & History
Our Mission
Child Start supports the education, social and emotional development of children, ages 0-5, by providing high quality, comprehensive and family-focused early childhood services in partnership with the community.
Our Vision
A community in which everyone has an inherent right to health, education, and opportunity that creates global impact.
Our Story
Child Start has been providing early childhood education and family development services to approximately 1,000 children annually since 1965, first as Napa Valley Head Start, then expanding to become Napa-Solano Head Start in 1995, and finally in 2000, becoming Child Start. Over the past 58 years, Child Start has been recognized as an early childhood education leader throughout Napa and Solano Counties and has spearheaded several initiatives to benefit and improve the overall wellbeing of children and families.
Our History
1965 – Head Start services begin in both Napa and Solano counties
1995 – Napa Valley HS changes to Napa–Solano HS to expand into Solano County
2000 – Napa–Solano HS becomes Child Start, Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation with 501(c)(3) status
2001 – Child Start becomes the third agency in California to administer the Raising-a-Reader program
2002 – Awarded its first EHS grant to serve 64 infants and toddlers
2016 – Child Start becomes one of the first agencies in the country to be funded for Early Head Start–Child Care Partnerships
2017 – Overhaul of the E/HS program through Designation Renewal System
2022 – Child Start launches a new era of leadership with a new executive team
Today, Child Start provides school readiness and family support services to approximately 1,000 children across Napa and Solano Counties in its Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Care Partnerships, State Preschool and General Child Care programs.
Head Start (HS) – preschool-age children served across 20 centers located throughout Napa and Solano Counties.
Early Head Start (EHS) – infants and toddlers are served through a combination of center-based and home-based program options.
Child Care Partnerships (CCP) – infants, toddlers and preschoolers served through a variety of contracted family child care homes, and private child care centers.
State Preschool (CSPP) – preschoolers children served through a wrap-around model with HS services. General Child Care (CCTR) – infants and toddlers served through a center-based wrap-around model with EHS services.
Child Start is also the administrator for the national Raising-A-Reader program (RAR). Through funding from the Napa Valley Community Foundation and the First 5 Commission of Napa County, as well as support from the Napa County Office of Education,
Child Start was successful in becoming the third agency in California to join the national RAR program. Another example of its foresight in improving outcomes for families is the widespread implementation of the Triple P parenting education program. Triple P stands for Positive Parenting Program and provides parents with a toolbox to become more confident and effective parents.