Point Lay, AK

Point Lay Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood education and family support services to this remote Arctic community. Operating through RurAL CAP, this program focuses on school readiness, cultural preservation, and holistic child development. The curriculum incorporates Iñupiaq language and cultural elements while meeting Head Start performance standards. Teachers are certified in early childhood education with specialized training in rural Alaska contexts. The facility offers nutritious meals, health screenings, and family engagement programs designed specifically for the unique challenges of North Slope living. Safety protocols are tailored to the extreme Arctic environment with emergency preparedness for weather and transportation challenges.

Located in Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), approximately 150 miles from Point Lay, this college-affiliated center serves the broader North Slope region. The center provides high-quality early childhood education with a culturally responsive curriculum that honors Iñupiaq traditions and values. Staff hold degrees in early childhood education and receive ongoing professional development. The facility features age-appropriate learning environments, outdoor play areas designed for Arctic conditions, and comprehensive safety protocols. The program emphasizes language development, social-emotional learning, and school readiness while maintaining strong connections to Iñupiaq culture and community values.

Serving the entire North Slope Borough region including Point Lay, this government-operated program provides comprehensive early childhood services across Alaska's Arctic communities. The program offers developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with Alaska Early Learning Guidelines, with special emphasis on cultural preservation and Iñupiaq values. Certified early childhood educators implement research-based practices while incorporating traditional knowledge and language. The program maintains strict safety standards adapted for remote Arctic conditions and provides transportation coordination for families across the borough. Services include developmental screenings, family support, and partnerships with local schools and health providers throughout the North Slope region.