Head Start and Early Head Start of Bennington County will partner with the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union (SVSU) starting in September 2026 to offer a wider range of supports, resources, and educational opportunities for children and families in Bennington County. This combining of efforts will provide increased flexibility for working families, including childcare that remains open until 5pm through Head Start, as well as summer programming and full year, year-round childcare, health and nutritional support, family resources and partnership, and more. Enrolled children will be able to attend SVSU on Monday through Thursday mornings, and Head Start in North Bennington in the afternoons. Children will also attend Head Start all day on Fridays.

“With the Head Start-SVSU partnership model, families will be able to enroll and receive wraparound services—full day, full year childcare, transportation, health and nutrition supports, family services and resource and referral supports, and health and developmental screenings,” says Early Childhood Services Director Rebecca Bishop Ware.

Meghan Meszkat, Director of Early Childhood Education for the SVSU, believes this partnership will fill a gap for families looking for full time childcare. “This will really reduce a barrier for families. There isn’t necessarily funding for full-time pre-k within the school buildings, so we’ve always offered a part time program. Families are interested in choosing our program, but can’t because of the timing of it. In addition to the extra supports and opportunities that families can access through our new partnership, this really checked a box for us.”

Families will also have the option to add childcare for February and April breaks, as well as for over the summer. This option meets one of the biggest needs for working families in Bennington County families—accessible childcare. Year-round childcare also benefits enrolled children. “Remaining in a routine is beneficial for a child’s ability to access their education and prevent regression,” says Bishop Ware.

Another benefit of the partnership is that enrolled families will each be assigned a Family Support Worker (FSW) through Head Start. FSWs provide wraparound services including resources, learning skills, education, and help with transportation to medical appointments to help ensure families achieve the best possible outcomes. The level of support that an FSW provides is customizable, because different families have different needs. “Families can have a quick phone call, resources sent home, a meeting at school, and/or home visits,” says Bishop Ware. “We tailor the level of support to what families want and meet that need. FSWs help families with anything from obtaining a job, obtaining housing, to budgeting to go on vacation. Each family prioritizes their own goals and the FSW helps the family meet those goals.”

Families interested in enrolling in Head Start for fall while still looking for summer childcare are invited to reach out to Head Start at 802-442-3686 to pre-enroll. To learn more about early childhood programs through Head Start and the SVSU, please contact Head Start at 802-442-3686 or the SVSU at 802-447-8419.

United Children’s Services is a division of United Counseling Service that administers Head Start and Early Head Start of Bennington County, which provides early childhood education for children ages six weeks to five years, as well as school readiness skills, family engagement, and health and family services. Head Start and Early Head Start offer a robust early childhood education that prepares children for kindergarten, as well as developmental and health screenings, summer programs, oral health exams, healthy meals, and parenting classes. Enrollment for summer and fall is open for Head Start and Early Head Start’s locations in Bennington, North Bennington and Pownal, VT. Bennington County Head Start/Early Start is a federally funded educational program for children ages six weeks to five years providing early childhood/pre-k education in Bennington County since 1965. To learn more about what Head Start and Early Head Start offer or to find eligibility details, please visit ucsvt.org.