My sons and I were playing in the park (4-year old and 1-year old) in Long Beach. I was pushing them on the swings. Some children came out of a small building and started playing on the swings. Soon I was pushing anyone whose swing slowed down. One of the adults asked how old my son was. I said "4" and she asked if I would consider sending him to Headstart. That was our introduction to the best pre-school I have had any contact with. Both of those boys went to Headstart as did their younger sister who was born 10 years later. I became active as a volunteer and later as an assistant teacher and on advisory boards.