How Mobile Classrooms Help Cities Reach Children & Families Experiencing Homelessness

By:

  • Lara Burt
January 30, 2025 - (3 min read)

High-quality early education programs can provide young children with a solid and lasting foundation for future success in life. Unfortunately, not all families have equal access to such programs. For families experiencing homelessness and the challenges related to it, including lack of transportation and documentation, this is especially true.

According to a 2021-22 analysis from SchoolHouse Connection and Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, it is estimated that there are more than 360,000 infants and toddlers experiencing homelessness nationally, yet only 11.5 percent are enrolled in an early childhood development program. In some states, such as New York, the percentage of children experiencing homelessness enrolled in a program is as few as 3.5 percent. Research has found that homelessness has a negative and, in many cases, lasting impact on child development.

What is a mobile classroom?

A mobile classroom is a vehicle retrofitted to look like a classroom and aims to provide educational learning opportunities and supportive services to students. Mobile classrooms are often used in rural areas, or in other places short on accessible and affordable learning opportunities.

Mobile Head Start Classroom in Oakland, CA

In California, SchoolHouse Connection estimates that only one in six infants and toddlers experiencing homelessness are enrolled in early childhood development programs like Head Start. In 2023, after noticing that a significant number of families who lost their housing were dropping out of the traditional Head Start program, the City of Oakland decided to take an innovative approach to reaching children and families by launching their “Ready, Set, Go! Mobile Classroom.” This ‘preschool on wheels’ makes stops at various locations around the city including homeless shelters and city parks to meet residents where they are to keep more children enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

In the vehicle, part of the space is used as a classroom stocked with typical preschool classroom items such as books, arts supplies, musical instruments and other learning materials. The remainder of the space includes a computer area where parents can work on job or housing applications, a health check station, a kitchenette and a bathroom (with a child-size toilet and sink). Staffers also use the space to conduct developmental screenings and share information about child development with parents.

At the launch of the new mobile classroom in 2023, Mayor Sheng Thao shared her excitement about expanding this service offering to families. “The mobile classroom will allow the Head Start program to provide vital high-quality prenatal to 5-year-old early education, development and wrap around services like health and nutrition screenings and support to families that are unhoused.”

While still relatively new, Oakland’s “Ready, Set, Go!” program is providing positive support to families, such as allowing children the opportunity to interact with their peers, and parents the chance to build community, as noted by a participating parent in this article. Overall, this serves as a great example of a city getting creative and doing something different that is responsive to and in support of children and families.

Housing Resource

Check out NLC’s Ending Homelessness: A Guide for Local Governments. This guide provides an overview of the homelessness crisis facing U.S. communities, why it’s happening, and how cities can work with partners to shape solutions.     

About the Author

Lara Burt

About the Author

Lara Burt is a Senior Program Specialist, Early Childhood Success within the Center for Leadership, Education, Advancement, and Development at the National League of Cities.