Head Start staff have a lot to learn when getting started—both to successfully support children and families and to meet Office of Head Start requirements.

The Pre-Service Bundle includes Head Start Basics and Whole Community Basics, meeting approximately 90% of the professional development required by the Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Save time. Save money. Achieve national standards. Make pre-service a breeze with NHSA’s Pre-Service Bundle. Available exclusively to NHSA Members, the bundle saves you 25% off the regular rate for Head Start Basics and Whole Community Basics. That’s a savings of $250 per person!

The Bundle includes:

• Head Start Basics: This on-demand course provides Head Start and Early Head Start staff the opportunity to refresh their knowledge of Head Start’s history, model, and mission. Created by Former OHS Director Dr. Deborah Bergeron, Head Start Basics gives learners information and skills related to special education, active supervision, health and safety, family engagement, and more. It’s a great reminder of the positive impact we have on children and families.
• Whole Community Basics: This on-demand course focuses creating inclusive environments. Created by Head Start alumna Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson, Whole Community Basics is designed to ensure everyone in your program is using similar language and coming to the work with consistent sensitivities and values.

Course information:

• Course Level: Beginner
• Requirements/Prerequisites: None
• Target Audience: Instruction and Effective Practice, Program Operations, Support Services
• Course Meeting Times: none
• Completion Timeline/Duration: 2 months

Course includes:

• 14 Hours of Course Material
• Online, Self-Paced Content
• 3 Months of Access to Course
• Video Content
• Discussion Forums
• Digital Badge
• Certificate of Completion with PD Hours
• 24/7 Access to Transcript

Head Start Alignment:

• Satisfies 90% of OHS training requirements
• Fulfills diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements

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Course Author

Team NHSA

With nearly 50 years of experience, research, and advocacy work, The Academy Team at NHSA has used the highest standards to create this course to support the professional growth and development of Head Start and Early Head Start staff and leadership across the country.

Featured Experts

Dr. Deborah Bergeron

Dr. B served as director of the Office of Head Start from 2018-21. From 2019-21 she broadened her leadership as director of the Office of Early Childhood Development in the Administration for Children and Families. Known as “Dr. B” to former students and teachers, she spent three decades in pre-K–12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator. She currently serves as deputy director for Community Engagement and Innovation at the National Head Start Association.

Dr. Kimberly Johnson

Children’s author and educator, Dr. Kimberly P. Johnson grew up in Shelby, NC. She is the author of 25 children’s books. Dr. Johnson received her doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching, and Leadership from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. She holds a master’s degree from Clemson University, in Youth Development and Leadership, an Early Childhood Education degree, and a Communications degree from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She completed her postdoctoral work in the Advanced Leadership program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. She recently completed a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion at Cornell University. She is currently teaching Creative Activities for Youth, Designing Effective Youth Programs, Youth and Family, and Working with Diverse Youth at Clemson University. Dr. Johnson also teaches Creative Writing for Social Change at Clinton College and is a course facilitator for the Leading Learning, Managing Evidence, and Leading with Equity and Excellence courses at Harvard University in the Graduate School of Education.

What learners are saying…