About
Bank Street Head Start is a free preschool program in the East Village that provides cognitive, social, emotional, and nutritional support for children ages 3-5. Our inclusive program offers meaningful, play-based learning experiences for all children and combines Bank Street’s educational philosophy with New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards.
Our model supports children through the developmental-interaction approach, which helps them learn by connecting them to their social and physical environment. With a 7:1 child to teacher ratio, Head Start educators individualize activities to build on each child’s strengths and meet their needs.
Bank Street’s history with Head Start is longstanding. The College and its second president, John H. Niemeyer, played an integral role in the formation of the national program in the early 1960s. Head Start’s first concept paper—by the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity—pointed to Bank Street classrooms as models for Head Start settings. Additionally, Bank Street led the 42nd Street Early Childhood Model Head Start Training Center in the 1960s and 70s.
Today, our program serves 68 families each year.
To learn more about our program, please email Alberta Conteh, Director, at aconteh2@bankstreet.edu.