Head Start and Early Head Start

Quick Facts

• Program scope: Provides early learning, health screenings, nutritious meals, social-emotional support, and family engagement services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pregnant women.
• Cost to families: Services are free for eligible families. Some programs offer limited slots for over-income families who pay sliding-scale fees.
• Delivery models: Center-based classrooms, family child care homes, home-based visits, and hybrid models tailored to community needs.
• Eligibility: Primarily for families with incomes at or below the federal poverty level, children in foster care, children experiencing homelessness, and families receiving TANF or SSI. Programs must reserve at least 10% of slots for children with disabilities.
• Application: Contact local Head Start or Early Head Start grantees using the Head Start Center Locator.

Program Overview

Head Start, launched in 1965, and Early Head Start, established in 1995, are cornerstone federal programs that promote school readiness and family well-being. Funded by the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), these programs partner with local agencies—school districts, nonprofits, Tribal governments, and community organizations—to deliver wraparound services. They emphasize a whole-child approach, addressing physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development while empowering parents as primary educators and advocates.

Services Offered

• Early learning: Developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework. Teachers use ongoing assessments to individualize instruction.
• Health services: Vision, hearing, developmental, and dental screenings; immunization coordination; referrals to healthcare providers; and support managing chronic conditions.
• Nutrition: Balanced meals and snacks that meet USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program standards. Programs offer nutrition education and accommodate cultural and dietary needs.
• Family support: Family partnership agreements, goal setting, referrals to housing, employment, and financial literacy services. Programs may offer parenting classes and leadership opportunities.
• Disability services: Inclusive classrooms, individualized education plans (IEPs), and collaboration with local school districts to support children with special needs.
• Pregnancy services: Early Head Start provides prenatal education, health referrals, and postpartum support for expectant mothers.

Eligibility and Prioritization

• Income: Families at or below 100% of the federal poverty level qualify. Programs may accept families up to 130% FPL if slots remain. Military pay, unemployment compensation, and other income sources count toward eligibility; certain allowances may be excluded.
• Categorical eligibility: Children in foster care, families receiving TANF or SSI, and children experiencing homelessness automatically qualify regardless of income.
• Age: Early Head Start serves pregnant women, infants, and toddlers up to age 3. Head Start serves children aged 3 to 5 who are not yet kindergarten-eligible.
• Community priorities: Local programs use a community assessment to identify priority populations—such as children with limited English proficiency, migrant and seasonal farmworker families, or residents of Tribal lands.

Enrollment Process

1. Locate a program: Use the Head Start Center Locator or contact your local community action agency.
2. Attend an intake appointment: Programs gather household information, verify income and eligibility, and discuss family goals.
3. Submit documents: Common items include proof of age (birth certificate), proof of income (tax returns, pay stubs), immunization records, and proof of residency. Families experiencing homelessness can provide alternate documentation or self-certify.
4. Health requirements: Children must be up to date on immunizations or working toward compliance. Programs assist families with scheduling exams.
5. Placement: Eligible families receive notification about available slots, program options, and start dates. If no immediate spot is available, children are placed on a waiting list prioritized by need.

Program Options

• Center-based: Children attend classrooms part- or full-day, typically following school-year or year-round calendars. Some centers offer extended hours to support working parents.
• Home-based: A trained visitor conducts weekly home visits focusing on parent-child interactions and child development activities. Socialization sessions allow children and parents to gather with peers.
• Family child care: Services delivered in licensed family child care homes that partner with Head Start to meet curriculum and quality standards.
• Migrant and Seasonal Head Start: Specialized programs operating in agricultural regions with flexible schedules aligned to migrant family needs.

Quality Standards and Accountability

Head Start programs must comply with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, which govern staffing qualifications, teacher-child ratios, classroom environments, health services, and family engagement. The Office of Head Start monitors grantees through on-site reviews, data reporting, and continuous improvement plans. Programs participate in the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) to evaluate teacher-child interactions and use data to refine services.

Family Engagement

Parents and guardians play a central role. Opportunities include:

• Serving on policy councils that guide program decisions and budgets.
• Participating in parent committees, volunteer activities, and classroom experiences.
• Accessing leadership training, workforce development resources, and community events.
• Collaborating on individualized family service plans that outline goals such as stable housing, employment, or continuing education.

Benefits Beyond Preschool

Research shows that children who attend Head Start demonstrate gains in school readiness, health outcomes, and social-emotional skills. Families benefit from increased access to medical care, improved parenting practices, and greater economic stability. Programs also foster community partnerships with health providers, housing agencies, libraries, and workforce organizations, creating a supportive network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can working parents enroll their children? Yes. Many Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer full-day or extended-day options. Some partner with child care subsidies to cover wraparound hours.

What if my family is slightly above the income limit? Programs may enroll a limited number of over-income families if slots are available and community needs are met. Provide documentation and discuss circumstances during intake.

Are services available for children with disabilities? Yes. Programs must reserve at least 10% of slots for children with disabilities and provide inclusive services with individualized supports.

Do I need to reapply every year? Families typically renew enrollment annually, but children in Head Start often stay until they transition to kindergarten. Inform the program of any changes in household circumstances.

Is transportation provided? Some programs offer bus routes or transportation assistance. Availability varies by location; ask during enrollment.

References

• Office of Head Start – ACF
• Head Start Program Performance Standards
• Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
• Head Start Center Locator

Insider Tips to Win Head Start and Early Head Start

• Track local competition windows. Monitor ACF forecast postings so you are ready when your service area opens for competition.
• Strengthen community assessment data. Use up-to-date demographic and needs analyses to justify your proposed service model.
• Build a high-scoring management system. Document governance, fiscal controls, and CLASS readiness to excel on the scoring rubric.