O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start and Early Head Start Child Development Program
503 Adamston Road, Brick, NJ 08723
About
The O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Head Start and Early Head Start Child Development Program includes activities such as circle time, art, sensory exploration, and free play time. In the Early Head Start Home-Based program, infants and toddlers take part in engaging, interactive lessons and activities during weekly 90-minute home visits that use the Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum. Families also attend interactive social events where children and adults join in discussions and learning activities and share healthy snacks.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Weekly 90-minute home visits
• Price: All services, including healthy snacks during socialization events, are provided at no cost to families.
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for children ages 3–5 years old from disadvantaged families, and eligibility is based on federal income guidelines, including families who receive TANF, SSI, or SNAP. The program provides services in education, health, social services, parent involvement, and special needs, and combines teacher-directed and child-directed activities. Every child receives learning experiences that address physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth, and Head Start arranges for comprehensive health care when needed, including medical exams, nutrition services, mental health screening and services, vision and hearing tests, identification of disabling conditions, immunizations, and dental exams. Registration for WIC services is available and encouraged, and nutrition services include at least one hot meal and one snack daily for each child, supervised by the agency Nutrition Services Manager. A mental health professional provides mental health education to staff, parents, and children, and special needs services such as speech and mental health consultation are offered at each Head Start site, with children with diverse needs always welcome.
The Early Head Start Home-Based program serves infants and toddlers ages 0–3 and pregnant women in Ocean County, New Jersey, and provides early childhood education, family support, and other comprehensive services at no cost to families. Home visits take place in the family’s home at a time that is mutually convenient for the family and the Home Visitor, and the research-based curriculum focuses on parent/child interactions, development-centered parenting, and family well-being. Socialization events are held at convenient locations throughout Ocean County, and interpreters are available to support families and children during these gatherings. Socializations give enrolled children and families time to connect with other families while taking part in discussions, learning activities, and enjoying nutritious, culturally appropriate snacks together.
All staff are trained to meet the needs of young children and are CPR certified and First Aid trained. Parents are encouraged to be involved in Head Start program planning by joining the Policy Council and by volunteering as teacher aides, storytellers, cooks, or clerical workers. Head Start staff work with families to set goals, address pressing needs, identify strengths, and provide referrals to community resources, including information about resources for emergency situations. Head Start programs also focus on family self-sufficiency, and O.C.E.A.N., Inc. provides reasonable accommodations for people with physical disabilities through first floor access and elevators, and supports language needs with in-house translators when required for agency program services.
As the Community Action Agency for low to moderate income residents in its service area, O.C.E.A.N., Inc.’s mission is to deliver quality, comprehensive services that improve the quality of life of individuals and families and assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency. O.C.E.A.N., Inc. operates Head Start programs at six locations throughout Ocean County in Brick, Berkeley, Barnegat, Toms River, and Manchester, and Head Start programs develop community partnerships and work to build awareness of barriers low-income families face in accessing dental care for their children. O.C.E.A.N., Inc. received funding from the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission through funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Division of the Department of State.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Weekly 90-minute home visits
• Price: All services, including healthy snacks during socialization events, are provided at no cost to families.
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for children ages 3–5 years old from disadvantaged families, and eligibility is based on federal income guidelines, including families who receive TANF, SSI, or SNAP. The program provides services in education, health, social services, parent involvement, and special needs, and combines teacher-directed and child-directed activities. Every child receives learning experiences that address physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth, and Head Start arranges for comprehensive health care when needed, including medical exams, nutrition services, mental health screening and services, vision and hearing tests, identification of disabling conditions, immunizations, and dental exams. Registration for WIC services is available and encouraged, and nutrition services include at least one hot meal and one snack daily for each child, supervised by the agency Nutrition Services Manager. A mental health professional provides mental health education to staff, parents, and children, and special needs services such as speech and mental health consultation are offered at each Head Start site, with children with diverse needs always welcome.
The Early Head Start Home-Based program serves infants and toddlers ages 0–3 and pregnant women in Ocean County, New Jersey, and provides early childhood education, family support, and other comprehensive services at no cost to families. Home visits take place in the family’s home at a time that is mutually convenient for the family and the Home Visitor, and the research-based curriculum focuses on parent/child interactions, development-centered parenting, and family well-being. Socialization events are held at convenient locations throughout Ocean County, and interpreters are available to support families and children during these gatherings. Socializations give enrolled children and families time to connect with other families while taking part in discussions, learning activities, and enjoying nutritious, culturally appropriate snacks together.
All staff are trained to meet the needs of young children and are CPR certified and First Aid trained. Parents are encouraged to be involved in Head Start program planning by joining the Policy Council and by volunteering as teacher aides, storytellers, cooks, or clerical workers. Head Start staff work with families to set goals, address pressing needs, identify strengths, and provide referrals to community resources, including information about resources for emergency situations. Head Start programs also focus on family self-sufficiency, and O.C.E.A.N., Inc. provides reasonable accommodations for people with physical disabilities through first floor access and elevators, and supports language needs with in-house translators when required for agency program services.
As the Community Action Agency for low to moderate income residents in its service area, O.C.E.A.N., Inc.’s mission is to deliver quality, comprehensive services that improve the quality of life of individuals and families and assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency. O.C.E.A.N., Inc. operates Head Start programs at six locations throughout Ocean County in Brick, Berkeley, Barnegat, Toms River, and Manchester, and Head Start programs develop community partnerships and work to build awareness of barriers low-income families face in accessing dental care for their children. O.C.E.A.N., Inc. received funding from the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission through funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Division of the Department of State.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
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