Childcare Network has been selected by the US Department of Health and Human Services to be the Head Start grantee for a six county area in West Central Georgia. With this award, Childcare Network will be funded to serve 1,001 children with free, full day-year round services for eligible families in Heard, Harris, Carroll, Meriwether, Coweta, and Troup counties. The award was made in connection with Designation Renewal System Cohort 3, an annual process whereby low performing grantees must recompete for their award.

"We are excited to become a first-time Head Start grantee,” said Scott Cotter, President and CEO of Childcare Network. “As the largest private provider of state sponsored Pre-K programs in Georgia and North Carolina, we have a verifiable track record of delivering high-quality preschool programs for young children. In addition, we also have experience delivering the classroom services for Head Start students through partnership agreements with other HS grantees. Becoming a grantee represents the next step in the continued evolution of our business and organization. However, we recognize that we lack the organizational experience and expertise to deliver the comprehensive family services required by the Head Start model. To fill this void, we have partnered with Shine Early Learning, a leading national provider of Head Start services, training, and technical assistance. Similar to Childcare Network, Shine has an outstanding track record of delivering comprehensive services for children and families enrolled in Head Start programs. We were impressed by their highly intentional approach to family engagement that creates systemic, positive change for families. We look forward to working with the Shine leadership team to create an exceptional program that will positively impact the lives of children and families.”

"We are extremely fortunate and proud to be partnering with an organization of the professional caliber and reputation of Childcare Network," said Henry Wilde, CEO of Shine Early Learning. "Like Childcare Network, we are fully committed to the notion that children will leave this program ready to succeed in school and in life, and I am confident that our new collaboration with their leadership team will drive positive outcomes for children and families who participate in the program. We are excited to work closely with Childcare Network to build on some of the great work already happening in these six counties to create a world class Head Start program here in Georgia.”