In a ceremony on December 19, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, D-3, assisted by several preschool students participating in the program, cut the ribbon of the doorway to the Head Start center located at Seymour Middle School.

The Head Start program is run by Team Inc., a private, non-profit organization which helps communities to find solutions which lead to well-being and self-sufficiency, according to a press release for the event.

The Head Start program started in 1965 as a national initiative designed to provide an affordable alternative to day-care services to economically challenged households.

Team, Inc., which has been coordinating Head Start programs in the valley area since 1978, currently has an operating area from Oxford to Milford.

The program has continued for Seymour residents at the Child Development Center at 80 Howard Avenue in Ansonia since 1997.

"We feel there is nothing like early intervention which can help young children prepare for future education," said Mr. Knoll. "We are thrilled to be back in Seymour."

The center, which has been open at the location since October, features a kitchen, a variety of children's books and audio visual capabilities.

"Many families can't afford the cost of child care today," said Mr. Knoll. "With a great facility like this, we think we offer an affordable alternative."

The impetus for moving the center back to Seymour came when the new middle school opened, according to Mr. Knoll.

The room, which was being used sparingly as an alternate classroom at the time, was suggested as a possible location.

Volunteers, mainly TEAM staff, students and teachers, including Seymour Middle School teacher Patricia Shelton volunteered to transform the room into the new center.

"It was a great opportunity to return the program to Seymour," said Mr. Knoll. "[The Board of Education] was happy to be able to help us return."

One of the unique features of the location is the interaction between the preschool children and students in the middle school, which, according to Team's Director of Child and Family Development Bryan Mardoian, offers a two-fold benefit.

One of the goals of the program in its new location is to integrate students from the middle school to help read and play with the children.

According to Mr. Mardoian, this not only provides assistance to the staff who run the center, but it also may help some of the children realize at an early age that this may be a career option later in life.

"The collaboration between the [middle school students and the children] is a great benefit," said Mr. Mardoian, who also mentioned that the interaction with older students creates an awareness and identity of other formative age groups.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony opened with an introduction by First Selectman Robert Koskelowski, who said he was pleased to have the center return to Seymour.

"This is a special day for our young citizens of Seymour," said Mr. Koskelowski.

Congresswoman DeLauro, a longtime advocate of increased educational programs for young children, was pleased to be on hand for the occasion, taking several minutes after the ceremony to read and play with the children.

"Parents are in the workplace today for economic survival," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "You want to be a good parent, but you have to work to support your family."

Congresswoman DeLauro said that the early intervention of education in the lives of young children could be a positive force for them in later years.

"The sooner we can get them started, the quicker they will learn," the congresswoman said. "My hats off to you and the children for making this program work here."

The Head Start Center at Seymour Middle School operates from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. week days; bus transportation is offered.