A Head Start program building in Norwalk has gotten a major makeover, at the benefit of young children preparing to start their schooling.

Head Start provides children of low-income families the skill set they need before starting kindergarten. News 12 toured the new features Monday.

"They may not have had books read to them, they may not have learned how to brush their teeth. So Head Start fills that gap," says Jim Maloney, of the Connecticut Institute for Communities.

The building's new entrance has extra cameras and electronic locks to keep kids and staff safe as they head to their classrooms. Other improvements include making better use of classroom space to allow for a new early Head Start program available for infants and toddlers.

Connecticut Institute for Communities sponsors the Greater Norwalk Head Start Program at the Nathaniel Ely Center and the Benjamin Franklin Center. They have been a sponsor since July 2018.

Mayor Harry Rilling attended the event and lauded the improvements made inside the building. The project cost about $400,000, with money coming from federal, state and local levels.

"Head Start fills the gap and makes sure that our own youngest and most economically challenged kids have a fair start in life," says Maloney.