We are a local 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization also known as Mountainland Head Start, Inc. providing high-quality services since 1978. We are a single-purpose entity, meaning our services are uniquely targeted to the early childhood field. We have a long established record of serving children who face barriers to success and their families in Utah, Wasatch and Juab counties in the state of Utah for over 40 years. Services include:

High Quality Preschool: We optimize this critical period of brain development by providing children with the most stimulating preschool environment possible. This includes individualizing services and using evidence-based and developmentally-appropriate curricula. We address the development of the whole child because healthy early child development, includes social/emotional, physical and linguistic/cognitive development (each equally important), all of which strongly affects mental and physical health, promotes literacy and numeracy skills, and life success.

Family Services: We partner with parents as the child’s primary educator and empower families to set and reach their goals to become self-reliant. We build partnerships and bridges between families, communities, and schools in order to create a shared community responsibility for children to thrive in an environment that provides the conditions for healthy, safe learning.

Health Services: Early childhood is a time of rapid development in body systems that are critical to good health and learning. We leverage this window of opportunity conducting and/or referring out for crucial health screenings to identify and address any concerns. We make sure families have access to an ongoing source of medical and dental care and foster healthy eating and health practices in a child’s early years to increase their cognitive development and ability to learn for years to come.

Nutrition: The preschool years are an influential time for developing healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. Nutrition is incorporated in classroom activities. We serve nutritious, unprocessed, safe foods prepared in on-site kitchens that are inspected by and comply with County Health Department regulations. Our program participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) which follows USDA guidelines. We utilize a cycle menu. Children who attend a morning class, are served breakfast and lunch. Children attending an afternoon class, are served lunch upon arrival and a snack. Extended day classes are served all three meals as well as on Fridays. Meals are served family style to extend learning opportunities.

Disability Services: Early Learning Essentials is a program of inclusion. We collaborate with school districts so children receive developmentally appropriate disability services as outlined in Individualized Education Plans (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). We work closely with local agencies responsible for implementing IDEA so children enrolled in our program receive the full range of services offered to all children.

Mental Health: Emotional wellness lays the foundation for learning and positive well-being. We use research-based screening, observation, and assessment tools to identify and document any concerns, difficulties, progress, and success. We provide in-house mental health consultation services and/or refer out to community partners for needed services and/or clinical intervention services for high-risk situations. We cultivate emotional intelligence through a self-regulation program that integrates social-emotional learning and conscious discipline.

Early Head Start Services: Early Head Start is a prenatal-3, infant/toddler program. We provide home-based, early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services to infants and toddlers and their families, and pregnant women and their families. This service is only available in Juab county and the southern most part of Utah County. Services are provided through weekly home visits to each enrolled child and family. A Family Educator provides child-focused visits that promote the parents’ ability to support the child’s development. Twice per month, the program offers opportunities for parents and children to come together as a group in the classroom for learning, discussion, and socialization activity.

Bus Services: Limited bus stop service may be available at our site in Nephi and surrounding remote areas in Juab county only. Bus services may be provided for children enrolled in some classes in Nephi on a limited basis. Bus service consists of bus stops within set geographical boundaries. At Early Learning Essentials the school bus is considered to be an extension of the classroom. Bus monitors ride along on the bus route and engage children in learning activities while the bus driver ensures children are transported safely.