Head Start Program Performance Standards and Other Regulations (45 CFR Parts 1301, 1302, 1303, 1304 and Guidance, 1305, 1306, and 1308 and Guidance).

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs providing services to children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. The Head Start Program Performance Standards, mandatory regulations that grantees and delegate agencies must implement in order to operate a Head Start program, are designed to ensure that Head Start goals and objectives are implemented successfully. This document focuses on Part 1304 of the standards and includes guidance materials for this part, although other parts are included for context. Sections in Part 1304 cover: (1) general standards (purpose and scope, effective date, definitions); (2) early childhood development and health services (child health and developmental services, education and early childhood development, child health and safety, child nutrition, child mental health); (3) family and community partnerships (family partnerships, community partnerships); (4) program design and management (program governance; management systems and procedures; human resources management; facilities, materials, and equipment); and (5) implementation and enforcement (deficiencies and quality improvement plans, noncompliance). Part 1304 (along with Part 1308, which focuses on children with disabilities) is presented in a two-column format. The left-hand column presents the standards. The right-hand column contains four parts: (1) an introduction summarizing the philosophy behind the section and the contents of the standards; (2) a rationale statement explaining why the standard is important; (3) related information providing cross-references to other standards and guidance materials critical to implementing the standard represented in the left-hand column; and (4) guidance material that provides examples or illustrations of how the standards could be implemented. Includes selected references used in preparation of guidance materials. (EV)