Preschool/speech/headstart?

Sounds like you are going through a rough time figuring this out. Head Start is a federal program serving children from families with certain low income guidelines, that is true. It is not just a preschool program, but tries to help families with health, education, and overall family well being. There is usually a home visiting component (the frequency varies by particular program you sign up for). Some would say that by virtue of the lower income guidelines that the children in the program might be coming from families facing more stresses, but this is not universally true. HOwever it could be. I am also wondering if the first program you are considering (the one for delays) also takes some children that are developing typically. Around here the early intervention program takes a mixture of children in order to avoid 'clumping' only those who have remedial needs. It might help to double check that. The level of training of the staff in the programs for children with delays is usually quite high and this can be a good thing.

Also, are these the only two alternatives, or are there others to consider? Can she receive speech services and still attend a preschool of your choosing (a co-op, non-profit, church based, etc.)

Alenushka, it is true that there is nothing wrong with 'being around disabled kids' but for some delays this is not what you want. I don't think the OP was being disrespectful. Sometimes when it seems someone is using labels, it is because they are repeating what someone else said, not their own words.

Go easy!

Angie, I have spent a lot of time in Head Start classrooms in my area. Different classrooms can be vastly different depending on the particular mix of children, the skill level of the teacher, the environment (where the classroom is located), etc. I would suggest going and doing an observation in the classroom your child would be placed in, and with the teacher she would be with. I think you will know whether it is a good fit for you/her.

Also, just as an aside, I know preschool can be expensive! I have never used one but I think with co-op preschools, the cost is much, much less, but everyone volunteers in the classroom or doing other tasks a certain # of hours per month (which is why they cost less; cuts down on staffing costs.)

There are also lots of old threads on the general of subject of whether preschool is a necessity/good idea, etc. on this forum. If you search preschool a bunch of them should show. If you're having trouble finding them, let me know. People have varied opinions on that. Mine is that preschool can be a really good thing, but that if a child is in a rich home environment it is certainly not essential.

Also, with your dd, is her speech articulation the problem (how she says the words), or is it more of a speech and language issue around communication or lack of? (in other words, does she use good eye contact, do you feel like you are relating when you speak together, etc.)

Just so you know, there is an MDC subforum of Parenting Issues called Parenting w/ Special Needs that you might also want to check out.