Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation has announced in a news release openings in its Windsor and Chelsea area Head Start programs.

Head Start is a free early childhood education program that prepares children for school and strengthens the skills of parents as their child’s primary educator and advocate.

Children who were four years old by Oct. 15, 2014, are eligible to enroll in the Head Start preschool program operated in partnership with Chelsea Elementary School, part of Regional School Unit 12 serving Windsor, Whitefield, Palermo and Chelsea. The center is open mornings Monday-Thursday.

Children in that district — from birth to those who turned four after Oct. 16, 2014 — are eligible to enroll in the Early Head Start home-based program. The program offers in-home teaching for children with their parents/grandparents/foster parents. It includes at least two Family Discovery Days each month, facilitated play groups featuring activities such as free trips to museums, farms and parks and regular socialization time at the Early Head Start center. Transportation is available. Prenatal support prior to enrollment in the home-based program is also available.

Full-time, year-round childcare for children 6 weeks to 5 years old is available at Magic Years childcare center in Augusta. There is a parent fee for this childcare program; subsidies from the Department of Health and Human Services are accepted.

For more information or to register, call 582-3110, ext. 34, or visit the office at 337 Maine Ave., Farmingdale. No appointment is necessary.