What was the original purpose of Head Start programs?

The original purpose of Head Start programs focused on preparing children from low-income backgrounds for school readiness, which is accurately reflected in the correct answer. Established in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, Head Start aimed to provide comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to enhance the social and cognitive development of children before they entered elementary school.

This program specifically targets children ages 3 to 5 and emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation in early education, aiming to close the achievement gap often faced by children in low-income families. By addressing both educational and socio-economic barriers, Head Start provides children the necessary skills and support to help ease the transition into formal schooling, thus aligning with the notion of preparing toddlers for preschool and beyond.

The other options, while potentially relevant to various aspects of child development or education, do not align with the foundational mission of the Head Start initiative. They focus on different target groups or objectives that do not encompass the primary aim of establishing a broad support system for early childhood learners from underprivileged backgrounds.