Tooth Fairy Visits Chaffee Head Start

THE TOOTH FAIRY VISITS CHAFFEE HEAD START

PORTAGEVILLE, MO MARCH 6, 2012: DAEOC Chaffee Head Start received a visit from the Tooth Fairy in February. The Center had several activities throughout the month to celebrate Dental Health Awareness Month.

Sandy Gibbons from the Cape County Health Department came to the Center dressed up as the Tooth Fairy to teach the children proper dental care and the importance of taking good care of our teeth. Laverne Waddle, Chaffee Head Start Center Director, said, "The kids had a great time and loved meeting the Tooth Fairy!"

Head Start prepares children to enter kindergarten ready to learn and to be successful later in life. The program focuses on preparing children cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. Parents are included in all aspects of the child's growth and development. Head Start shares information on positive parenting, emotional wellness, behavior development, and developmental delays.

Ellie Clayton, Head Start/Early Head Start Health/Mental Health Specialist, stated, "Children receive medical and dental exams, and parents are assisted in finding the best ways to meet the child and the families' physical, social, and emotional needs."

"Children and staff eat lunch and breakfast together in a family style meal setting. Parents are invited to eat with their child as well," stated Doris Mills, Head Start/Early Head Start Nutrition Specialist.

Head Start and Early Head Start Centers are now accepting applications for children for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications can be made at any of the 17 Centers or County DAEOC Offices.

DAEOC is a non-profit agency that operates 17 Head Start/Early Head Start Centers throughout the lower six counties of Southeast Missouri in addition to administering over 40 other programs with aimed at battling poverty in the six Bootheel counties. Each Head Start center relies on community involvement and volunteers in order to make all the Center activities a success. To learn more about the Head Start program, visit 'ECLKC' online or call us at (800)755-3841. To explore the other programs offered by DAEOC, visit www.daeoc.com.