Barbara Cannady for Burns Times-Herald

If you are sensitive to the frequencies in your surroundings, you will immediately feel “good  vibes” when you enter the Harney County Early Childhood Center. Donna Schnitker, Head Start Champion, was back in Burns recently checking up on her obsession. But the passion of caring for every child is definitely spread throughout the staff. Brenda Engebretson, who has been with the organization for 15 years, heads the program that currently serves 80 children and families.

Harney County Head Start opened in 1994 with the help of State dollars. Federal dollars were added in 2000 to expand this very unique program to serving all of the rural areas in our County.

Rural Home Based Preschool helps often isolated 3- and 4-year-olds prepare for the bigger world of kindergarten. With one and a half hour weekly visits to the home, the traveling Head Start teacher helps introduce young children to the socialization skills of sitting quietly for a limited time, listening, sharing and interacting with other than family.

The program recognizes that the parents are the child’s first teacher. As such, the teacher works with the parents to help set up family, educational and curriculum goals. Initial curriculum may start with colors and shapes rather than counting and ABC’s. Reading to a child is emphasized.  Medical screenings for speech, dental, vision, and hearing are included.

Connecting parents on the first and third Thursdays of the month through sixteen annual socialization events is also a program standard.  This may be in the form of a parking lot field trip which includes animals, large equipment, firemen or parent associated themes along with structured preschool classroom experiences.

Free! All children that will be three or four by September 1st are welcome to apply. For more information call 541-573-6461, or email raym@harneyesd.k12.or.us.  Applications are available at the Early Childhood Center located at 655 W. Filmore St., in Burns. School starts Sept. 9, but applications are taken year round and the earlier they are submitted the better.