About GKB Head Start

The Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community Head Start Program was started in 1966 as a summer program for approximately 17 children in the Garrett school district. The Grantee for the program was, and continues to be, the Garrett-Keyser-Butler Community School District Board of Trustees.


The Head Start program is currently funded to serve 140 children from all over DeKalb County. Actual enrollment each year averages 175-190 children due mostly to family relocations.
An Early Head Start grant was awarded to the program in 1998 to serve an additional 33 pregnant women, infants and toddlers. Actual annual enrollment averages 45 to 50 per year.


The Head Start program operates classrooms in five locations:
2 classrooms at the Garrett Center located adjacent to the Head Start office in Garrett
1 classroom at the JE Ober Elementary School in Garrett
1 classroom at the Auburn Center in Auburn
2 classrooms at the Butler Elementary School in Butler
2 classrooms and Early Head Start at the Waterloo site


The preschool classroom at the Auburn Center serves children in a full-day, full-year program option. This classroom is available for families who need care for children from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, daily.


All other preschool classrooms operate 3 ½ hours per day, 4 days per week, during the regular "school calendar" year.


Four sites are child-care licensed by the state of Indiana. Three centers are also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (N.A.E.Y.C). A fourth center is currently pursuing accreditation.