HOPES offers Early Head Start (Expectant Women, Infants and Toddlers), Head Start (Preschool), and State Funded Preschool programs at a variety of locations in Hudson and Union Counties, NJ.

As one of the first established Head Start programs in the country, in 1966, HOPES Head Start prides itself on its continuous service of high quality educational programs for children and support services for families.

Funded by the Federal Government, Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) are comprehensive child development programs serving expectant women, children from birth to age five and their families. The programs are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families.

Both programs provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education, medical, dental and mental health, nutrition and social services to children and their families. Parent involvement is encouraged and support is offered for children with disabilities. Ten percent of the programs' total enrollment opportunities are made available to children with disabilities, without regard to family income.

The cornerstone of the Early Head Start/Head Start Programs is parent and community involvement - which has made it one of the most successful early childhood education programs in the country. There are rigorous requirements that must be met in order to be in compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards. For more information on Head Start, visit The Office of Head Start website.

HOPES Early Childhood locations also provide State Funded Preschool programs that enable residents of Hoboken and Plainfield School Districts to have their age and residency eligible child attend the preschool program free of charge. Visit the New Jersey Department of Education for more information about the New Jersey State Funded Preschool Program (Formerly Abbott Preschool).