The Home Based and Center Based programs provide the same kinds of experiences for young children and their families. There are, however, some important differences, such as:
 

Home Based In Home Based there is a much greater emphasis on parents. They are the child's first and best teacher, and the Family Educator uses their skills.   In Home Based, parents and children attend the PACT sessions bi-monthly.   Children learn daily in their own homes as the parents bring "education" into activities they once thought had little importance.   In Home Based, all the members of the family can be involved.

Center Based In the Head Start Center, the parent acts as a co-worker in the classroom with the teaching staff and gets to try new ideas with small groups of children.   Children in the Head Start Center attend the classroom four days a week instead of as a bi-monthly group.    The classroom provides many choices for independent activities and play with other children. There are group "circle time" activities and outdoor time on the playground daily.