The Oak Park Head Start child care program has found two new places to call home. On Sept. 12, the program’s 68 local participants will begin their school year at one of two new locations: at Hephzibah Children’s Association’s North Boulevard headquarters or at Creative Children’s Daycare Center on North Avenue.
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded development programs for children and families in Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park. They operate as a program of the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA).
CEDA Vice President Unita Sims said Monday that the move was prompted by the end of the lease term for the former Head Start building at 44 Madison, a property formerly owned by Mike Kelly’s Park National Bank.
She said communication between Head Start and Hephzibah began this summer.
“We know that Hephzibah has a similar mission,” Sims said. Hephzibah Executive Director Mary Anne Brown and Sims described the move as a “partnership” between the two organizations.
“The key to partnering is that each agency can really use their resources better,” Sims said.
Brown explained that because the Hephzibah space formerly housed the organization’s kindergarten program, it is a licensed space perfect for Head Start.
“We’ve been working incredibly well with Head Start staff to make a smooth transition for the children,” said Brown.
Creative Children’s Daycare Director Charmaine Walker said they, too, are looking forward to the partnership.