Fond du Lac Head Start Programs

Head Start invites all of the program’s families to become actively involved in their child’s education. The Fond du Lac Head Start Division provides services for a variety of programs. 

• FDL Head Start Programs participate in CACFP
• Everyone is WIC eligible if your child is enrolled in FDL Head Start Programs

Salvation Army Toy Program Application
Lion's Club Vision Screening Form
Policy Council Representative Nomination Form

FDL Head Start is Hiring: Fond du Lac Head Start has openings for several positions! Join our team! Click here and choose FDL Reservation / Head Start to see all of our positions.

Child Care Needs Survey: The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and First Children First Nations Child Care Collaborative is reaching out to families across the community about child care issues. First Children First Nations Child Care Collaborative (FCFN) is working with the Fond du Lac Band on a community engagement process designed to develop right-sized solutions to address the needs of child care and early education. The Fond du Lac Band is focused on opportunities and challenges they are facing with child care. FCFN helps facilitate the conversation and provides expertise, tools, and resources to support the creation and implementation of solutions to address child care shortages in rural communities. Your participation in this survey will help guide the conversation and the combined responses will provide insights into the child care challenges at Fond du Lac: https://forms.office.com/r/zuwhjKhmsx

Head Start Garden (Gitigaan) Club: FDL Head Start Programs would like to create a garden (gitigaan) club including all parents/guardians. We will provide all the supplies needed for the entire garden area which we have onsite. If interested, fill out and return the form below.
Garden Club Sign-up Form

The Fond du Lac Head Start Division is proud to offer the Child, Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This program provides healthy meals to all enrolled children at no charge. Click here for more information on CACFP.

FDL Head Start Programs would like all families to enroll in the Everbridge Emergency Alert System. This will enable FDL to send you messages about school closing/delays and all other important information. The website is: http://www.fdlrez.com/emergencyaware/

Head Start/Early Head Start Applications

2023/24 School Year

• 2023/24 School Year Enrollment Application
• 2023/24 School Year Pregnant Mom Enrollment Application

2024/25 School Year

• 2024/25 School Year Enrollment Application
• 2024/25 School Year Pregnant Mom Enrollment Application

*completed applications should be sent to: FDL Head Start at 33 University Dr, Cloquet, MN 55720.

Head Start Mission

Fond du Lac Head Start is dedicated to nurturing the spirit of the child by celebrating diversity and life-long learning.

Head Start Philosophy

Fond du Lac Head Start programming is based on the philosophy that all children share certain needs. The need for social, physical and emotional interaction in learning together how to problem solve.

The child's entire family, including extended family, is encouraged to be involved. Head Start programs will strive to meet each family and child's individual needs.

Our goal is to enhance social competence in each child's everyday learning in how to succeed in his/her living environments and making positive choices in their nutritional, health and safety needs. We encourage self-confidence and spontaneity and provide the tools necessary for the sense of dignity within the child to flourish.
Head Start
For more information contact us at (218) 878-8100.

Office Hours: 7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m.

Classroom Hours: 7:45a.m. to 3:00p.m.

Head Start is a Federal program for preschool children from low-income families. The Fond du Lac Head Start program is part of the American Indian Alaska Native Programs Branch of Head Start and gives preference to children of American Indian descent. Head Start offers children and families a variety of components to help meet both the family and child's needs. Families are encouraged to be involved in a variety of ways throughout the Head Start program.

Head Start Components Include:

Early Childhood Development

• Center-based classrooms offering an Emergent Curriculum that focuses on family, child, community, environment, and teacher interests and needs.
• Ongoing child observations and developmental progression.
• Developmental screenings using Brigance.
• Education Committee that meets at least annually to develop the curriculum.
• Family Conferences with the teacher two times per year.
• Home Visits with the teacher two times per year.
• Ojibwe Culture.
• Certified teaching staff.

Health Services

• Healthy Meals.
• Mental Health.
• Child Health Checks.
• Nutrition.
• Vision Screenings.
• Hearing Screenings.
• Family Resources.

Family and Community Partnerships

• Volunteering opportunities on a regular basis or even just one time.
• Paid substitute-teaching opportunities (must pass a background check, be at least 18 years of age, and hold a high school diploma or GED).
• Opportunities to serve on the Policy Council, which meets once per month and oversees program functions.
• Quarterly Family Night activities.
• Opportunities to serve on the Transition Committee which determines activities to ease transitions into and out of Head Start programs.
• Family Partnerships developed with your family's Family Service Program Manager.
• Community Resource Guide available for locating resources in the community.
• Home Visits with your family's Family Service Program Manager.

Services for Children with Disabilities

• Families who have a child with a disability are encouraged to apply and are given priority for enrollment.
• All children entering Head Start must complete a developmental screening. If necessary, further testing is done to determine if the child qualifies for special education services.
• Children who qualify for special education services have access to all services outlined in their education plan including:
• • Early childhood special education
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
• Children receive services in the classroom environment with their peers. When necessary, specialized services may be provided outside of the classroom for one-on-one assistance.
• A Disabilities Service Plan is created annually outlining disabilities services. Families of children with disabilities are invited to participate in creating this plan.

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