FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Worcester Community Action Council Head Start Expands Extended Day Classrooms with Support from United Way Partners

Worcester, MA – October 17, 2025 – Worcester Community Action Council’s (WCAC) Head Start program is expanding extended day classroom hours with the support of two United Way agencies, United Way of South Central Massachusetts and United Way of Central Massachusetts, to better meet the needs of working families in Southbridge and Leicester.

Through funding from the United Way of South Central Massachusetts, WCAC’s Southbridge Head Start Center will launch a new extended hours program, opening one classroom early from 7:30 to 8:00 AM, Monday through Friday, for 16 children. This added flexibility gives parents extra time to drop their children off and travel to work, addressing the issue of limited access to affordable childcare, a key barrier identified in WCAC’s 2024 Family Survey.

At the same time, the United Way of Central Massachusetts will continue supporting an extended afternoon classroom at WCAC’s Leicester Head Start Center, allowing 16 children to remain in care from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. Families in last year’s pilot program reported that this additional hour made it easier to balance work schedules, increase work hours, and manage family responsibilities.

“The Southbridge and Leicester Extended Hours programs are designed to directly support our working families,” said Kathleen Dow, Director of Head Start Programs at WCAC. “By offering earlier drop-off and later pick-up options, we’re giving caregivers more flexibility while ensuring their children are in a safe, supportive learning environment.”

For more information, please contact Cheyenne Courtney, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at 508-754-1176 ext. 126.