CARD Head Start & Early Head Start

06/09/2026

📚 Broken Arrow Families, Mark Your Calendars! 🎉

Enrollment season is here! Join us for the CARD Head Start Southside Open House and discover how we help children learn, grow, and thrive.

📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 509 W Houston St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Take a tour of our classrooms, meet our dedicated teachers, connect with community partners, and get your child enrolled for Fall 2026. Plus, the Tulsa Health Department van will be on-site from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM offering immunizations.

We can't wait to welcome you and your family! ❤️

06/02/2026

Every child deserves a strong start in life. ❤️

Congress is currently making funding decisions that will impact infants, toddlers, and families across Oklahoma and the nation for years to come. Programs like Head Start, Early Head Start, child care assistance, maternal health services, and early childhood development initiatives provide critical support that helps children thrive from the very beginning.

Funding cuts could limit access to these essential resources for families who need them most. That's why we're encouraging our community to speak up and support increased funding for programs that serve our youngest learners and their families.

Your voice matters! Contact your member of Congress and urge them to protect and strengthen funding for infants, toddlers, and families in the FY 2027 Labor-HHS appropriations bill.

Together, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed. 🌟

As begins working on funding legislation for programs supporting infants, toddlers, and their families, OICA in cooperation with our partner has issued an , urging advocates to contact members of Congress to support increased funding. For more information and a link to reach your Congressperson, go to https://conta.cc/49UObVR

05/29/2026

Come see us and sign up for our program at the grand opening of the Blue Whale on Route 66 in Catoosa this Saturday!

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Happy Birthday Head Start! 🙌

The data says "evidence-based outcomes."

You call it Tuesday. You call it showing up when it's hard. You call it believing a 4-year-old can go further than anyone expected—and proving it.

61 years of Head Start. Happy birthday to the people who make it real.

05/21/2026

School readiness starts long before kindergarten ✏️

At C.A.R.D. Head Start & Early Head Start, we support children at every stage of development because each age builds the foundation for the next.

Here’s what school readiness looks like as children grow:

👶 Infants & Toddlers (Early Head Start)
Building trust, attachment, and early communication
✔ Safe, nurturing relationships
✔ Language development through talking, singing, and play
✔ Exploring the world through senses and movement

👧 Preschool (Head Start)
Developing independence and social-emotional skills
✔ Learning to share, take turns, and express feelings
✔ Building routines and confidence
✔ Early literacy, math, and problem-solving skills

🎒 Pre-K Transition
Preparing for a successful start in school
✔ Following directions and classroom routines
✔ Managing emotions and behavior
✔ Growing curiosity and a love for learning

School readiness isn’t just academics, it’s social, emotional, and developmental.

At Head Start, we support the whole child and partner with families every step of the way, because strong beginnings lead to lifelong success. 💙

05/20/2026

How does a child’s brain develop? 🧠

At CARD Head Start & Early Head Start, we use the Conscious Discipline Brain States Model to understand behavior and support children’s development.

Children move through three brain states:

🔴 Survival State – “Am I safe?”
A child may cry, hit, run away, or shut down when they feel overwhelmed or unsafe.

🟡 Emotional State – “Am I loved?”
Big feelings take over. Children may have tantrums, struggle to share, or react strongly.

🟢 Executive State – “What can I learn?”
This is where problem-solving, self-control, and learning happen.

Young children are still developing these skills and they need caring, responsive adults to help guide them from survival → emotional → executive.

At Head Start, we focus on connection, safety, and relationships first because feeling safe is the foundation for learning. 💙

05/19/2026

Last week, our East sites enjoyed School Spirit Week that included Career Day! We had a sweet moment at school when Mrs. Sabrina, the cook for East 2, had a little friend who admired her so much that she came in dressed like her. She said that when she grows up, she wants to be “Miss Bafrina” and become a cook just like her. 💕

It’s amazing to see the impact our staff members have on our students every single day. Sometimes the smallest moments leave the biggest impressions!

05/15/2026

You don’t have to carry it all alone. 💚

At CARD Head Start & Early Head Start, we know that mental health matters, for children and for families.

Life can feel overwhelming. Raising children, managing stress, and navigating rising costs can leave very little left to give. That’s why we’re here.

Our program includes dedicated mental health support for children, and our Family Advocates are here to connect parents and caregivers with community resources, guidance, and support when it’s needed most.

We also create safe, supportive environments where families can come together, build relationships, and support one another, because community matters.

What we look for in young children:

🌿 Signs of positive mental health:
• Expressing emotions in healthy ways
• Forming connections with caregivers and peers
• Curiosity, playfulness, and engagement
• Ability to calm with support

⚠️ Signs a child may need extra support:
• Frequent tantrums or withdrawal
• Difficulty connecting with others
• Delays in communication or play
• Trouble regulating emotions

Every child develops at their own pace, but early support can make a lasting difference.

If you ever have concerns, you are not alone and we are here to help. 💙