This paper describes the Head Start Primary Continuation Learning Project, a demonstration project designed to investigate whether continuity of relationship with an assistant teacher from Head Start through third grade can help children maintain gains made in Head Start and provide smooth transition into public school. Ten assistant teachers (most of whom began in Head Start as parents) in ten elementary schools accompany the children into kindergarten and the first three grades. A second project goal is to enable each assistant teacher to earn a B.A. degree and teaching credential. The retention rate of adults is seen as significant, while transiency among children has been high. An achievement of the program has been the emergence of a co-equal working relationship between community people and professionals, with the administrative staff recruited from paraprofessionals from minority and inner-city communities. Four elements observed in the course of the program were (1) assurance of progress to participants, with help in attaining degrees and credentials, (2) support of development of each person, (3) facilitating communication and (4) fostering continuity of relationships, in line with the project's essential concept that a person, rather than a curriculum model, will provide a smooth Head Start-to-school transition. (Author/BF)