How can I get my child into Head Start?

Contact the Head Start or Early Head Start agency serving your community. Your local Head Start agency will provide the required forms and answer questions about the program.  To find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, use the Head Start Locator on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center at http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov.  If you need more help to find a Head Start or Early Head Start program in your area, please call the Head Start Knowledge and Information Management Services toll-free at: 1-866-763-6481 and we would be happy to assist you.

Children from birth to age five from families with income below the poverty line are eligible for Head Start (preschool age children) and Early Head Start services (birth to age three and pregnant women).  Children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are also eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services regardless of family income.  Foster children are also Head Start and Early Head Start eligible regardless of their foster family’s income. (Programs may, however, enroll up to 10% of their children from families that do not meet the above requirements.) 

Your local program can explain the paperwork you should bring to apply, and they will determine whether your family is eligible.