Press Release: Addison Head Start Expansion and Enrollment

Sandra Graves, Director
Champlain Valley Head Start
Phone: 802 651 4180 X201
Email: sgraves@cvoeo.org

Jason Rouse, Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity
Phone: 802 862 2771 X744
Email: jrouse@cvoeo.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2026

CVOEO’s Champlain Valley Head Start Expands Addison County Preschool Program to Year-Round Schedule and Seeks Enrollment for 2026–2027 School Year

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s (CVOEO) Champlain Valley Head Start (CVHS) program is currently enrolling children for the 2026–2027 school year at the Addison County Early Learning Center (ACELC) in New Haven, with openings available in both its toddler program, for children ages 12–35 months, and its preschool program for children ages 3 and 4. To better meet community needs, CVHS has expanded its preschool program to operate year-round beginning this school year. The change also aligns preschool services with the center's existing year-round toddler programming and is expected to support full enrollment in the years ahead.

Located at 87 Rivers Bend Road in New Haven, the Addison County Early Learning Center offers a rich learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, discover, and grow. Situated among open fields with views of the Green Mountains, the center features a natural playground, access to wooded trails, and engaging classroom experiences that include sensory exploration, art, block building, dramatic play, music, and other hands-on learning opportunities.

Sandra Graves, Director of Champlain Valley Head Start, shares, "Champlain Valley Head Start supports children and families to be healthy, successful, and ready for school and for life. We individualize services to meet the unique needs of children and families to support the optimal development of the child within the family, and the development of the family within the community. We listened when families expressed the need for summer care for our preschool age children and adjusted our budget to support this change in programming to extend the full year. Our hope is that by adding summer care and offering the matched continuity for children ages one to five in our early education services, we will reach and maintain full enrollment of Early Head Start and Head Start classrooms at the Addison County Early Learning Center in New Haven for years to come."

CVHS programs are provided at no cost to enrolled families, and openings remain available for both toddlers and preschoolers. Families may be eligible if they are currently experiencing homelessness, have a child in foster care or kinship care, receive Reach Up, 3SquaresVT/SNAP, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or have household incomes that meet federal Head Start guidelines. A limited number of openings may also be available for families who do not otherwise meet eligibility requirements.

Families consistently describe positive experiences at ACELC and the impact of the program on their children and families. One family shared, "She's loving it and loves going to school... We're so happy she's in this program and can't wait to see her grow this year!" Another family noted, "Head Start was definitely the best choice for our family. Thank you so much for all you do!"

Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, ACELC's preschool program will operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. throughout the year, including the summer months, aligning with the center's existing year-round toddler programming.

Families interested in learning more or applying can visit https://champlainvalleyheadstart.org/ or contact Pemberton Maxwell at 802-752-9397 or apply-cvhs@cvoeo.org.

For media inquiries, contact Sandra Graves at sgraves@cvoeo.org.

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About Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)

As a social services organization with 13 distinct yet interconnected programs, CVOEO addresses fundamental issues of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice and works with people to achieve economic independence. Formed in 1965 to carry out the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, CVOEO is a nonprofit organization that relies on support from various sources, including federal, state, and local governments, foundations, corporations, and individuals. With a dedicated and passionate staff of more than 300 employees, CVOEO offers a holistic and client-centered approach to serving individuals, families, and communities and provides vital support to 21,000 Vermonters every year. To learn more about CVOEO, its mission, impact, and programs, visit cvoeo.org.

About Champlain Valley Head Start

Champlain Valley Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood education and family support services to pregnant people, children from birth to age five, and their families throughout Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden, and Addison Counties in northwest Vermont. Through a family-centered approach, the program promotes healthy child development, school readiness, and family well-being while helping children and families build strong foundations for lifelong success.