Early Learning

Focus: HOPE’s early learning programs educate over 300 children per year, and provide over 250 mothers with peer-to-peer support for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting.

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Young Boy Plays With Legos in Classroom

Important Update

Current Status of Head Start Program

It has been just over two months since Focus: HOPE received confirmation that our application for federal Head Start funding for the 2025–2026 school year was not approved. This development has represented a significant setback, but we want to emphasize that our early learning program is not closed. It is currently being reshaped and restructured to better meet the evolving needs of families and to continue delivering high-quality education and support to our youngest learners. 

We are pleased to share that Focus: HOPE has received funding to expand our Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), which will create 30 additional classroom spots for preschool-aged children. These new GSRP classrooms will officially open on October 27, 2025, at our Center for Children.

For enrollment questions, please call 313-494-4400.

Focus: HOPE

Great start readiness

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Great Start Readiness is a preschool program for four-year-olds. We offer a full-day class that emphasizes hands-on learning, opportunities for creative expression, and development of basic math and reading skills. The day includes breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack.

How to Apply
Location

Center for Children | 1550 Oakman Blvd, Detroit

Hours

8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, during the academic year

Cost

Great Start Readiness is state-funded, so there is no cost to qualified families.

Eligibility
  • Child must be 4 years old
  • Families must meet the state income eligibility guideline
  • Families must live in Wayne County

Early Head Start

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Early Head Start is a community-based program for pregnant women and families with infants and toddlers. We provide early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive child development and family support services. Students are provided breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack at no cost.

How to Apply
Location

Center for Children | 1550 Oakman Blvd, Detroit

Hours

Monday-Friday; 8:30 am- 4:00 pm year round except holidays

Cost

Early Head Start is federally funded, so there is no cost to qualified families.

Eligibility

Those qualified include families meeting the federal poverty guidelines, foster children, or families who receive SSI or DHS payments.

Head Start

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Focus: HOPE is a proud member of the Thrive By Five Detroit collaborative, working to bring seamless Head Start services for children from birth to five years old. Head Start provides early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive child development and family support services to children ages 3-5 and their families.

How to Apply
Location

Center for Children | 1550 Oakman Blvd, Detroit

New Paradigm Glazer | 2001 LaBelle Avenue, Detroit

Hours

Monday – Thursday; 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Part year and full year options offered

Cost

Head Start is a federally funded program, so there is no cost to qualified families

Eligibility

Those qualified include families meeting the federal poverty guidelines, foster children, or families who receive SSI or DHS payments

peer-to-peer doula &
breastfeeding services

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For pregnant women and new mothers, we provide free, in-home non-medical support, childbirth education and community resources. Expecting mothers can meet with their Doula at the Center for Children, or our Doulas and counselors will travel to the mother’s home and/or doctor visits.

How to Apply
What are Doulas?

Doulas provide continuous physical and emotional support to women and their partners during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. They offer advice on breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning in order to minimize labor pains. Throughout the labor process, doulas help women and their partners remain informed about the course of their labor and the options available to them. After delivery, our doulas provide peer breastfeeding counseling.

Benefits of having a Doula:
  • Less likely to use pain medications during labor
  • Less likely to report dissatisfaction of any part of delivery
  • Have shorter labors
  • Have fewer cesareans or instrumental vaginal births
  • Fewer babies with a low five-minute Apgar score

How to Apply

For more information on any of our Early Learning programs, complete this form and a Focus: HOPE team member will reach out to you soon!

 

Apply Today

This website is supported by Grant Number [HHS-2025-ACF-OHS-CH-0124-PKG00288285] from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Focus: HOPE and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.