By: Laurel Marewibuel
KOROR, Palau — The morning ritual is simple but powerful. A bus pulls up, children climb aboard with backpacks nearly as big as they are, and mothers wave with a mix of pride and relief. For many Palauan parents, this daily routine is more than a school drop-off—it is a symbol of hope, opportunity, and stability.
“Head Start gave me the ability to return to work full time and support my four children,” one mother said. “For my daughter, it created a strong foundation for school readiness and social interaction.”
Her words reflect what countless families across the country say about the Palau Community Action Agency’s Head Start Program, which has served as a cornerstone of early childhood education for more than 50 years.
A Safe Place to Grow
Parents describe Head Start as more than preschool—it’s a second home where children ages 3 to 6 learn to brush their teeth after meals, wash their hands before class, share toys with new friends, and gain the confidence to stand tall in kindergarten.
One mother recalled her initial doubts as her son boarded the school bus for the first time. “I was so nervous because I have separation anxiety with my kids,” she admitted. But by the end of the week, she said, “the program helped break that struggle in a positive way. By the time he reached first grade, the transition was a breeze.”
For another parent, the progress was academic as well as emotional. “My daughter can now speak clearly, write well, read confidently, and understand instructions,” she said. “Without Head Start, my only option would have been homeschooling, and that would have been very difficult.”
Families Find Strength Too
The impact doesn’t end with the children. Parents say the program has eased financial and emotional burdens. By providing free preschool, transportation, meals, and qualified teachers, Head Start gives mothers and fathers the chance to work, attend classes, or simply breathe easier.
“Without Head Start, I would have had to hire a nanny—which I couldn’t afford—and it wouldn’t have been the same,” one mother explained. “Head Start gave us something better. It gave us teachers who care, a safe environment, and peace of mind.”
A Policy Rooted in Community
Funded largely through U.S. federal grants—close to $2 million in the 2020–2021 cycle—Palau’s Head Start Program is rooted in the same vision that launched America’s Head Start in 1965: breaking the cycle of poverty by investing in young children.
In Palau, that investment has grown into ten centers across the islands, each one a hub where families connect, children learn, and communities are strengthened. Services extend beyond classrooms to include health screenings, nutrition, and opportunities for parents to engage directly in their children’s education.
A Path Forward
Reaching remote areas remains a challenge, but the impact on families who can access Head Start is unmistakable. Children begin elementary school better prepared, healthier, and more confident. Parents say the program has given them the freedom to earn a living, pursue education, and keep their households stable.
For many, Head Start has become part of family life, shaping not just children’s futures but the community as a whole.
As one mother put it simply: “It changed everything—for my kids and for me.”
