Head Start: Eligibility, Services, How to Enroll

What Is Head Start?

Head Start is a federal program that provides free early childhood education, health screenings, meals, and family support services for children from birth to age 5 in low-income families. The program has operated since 1965 and has served more than 40 million children over that time.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services runs Head Start through the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families. In fiscal year 2024, the federal government funded 715,873 slots for children and pregnant women across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and six U.S. territories. During the 2023-2024 program year, Head Start programs served 805,919 children and pregnant women total.

There are two main types. Head Start Preschool serves children ages 3 to 5. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, along with pregnant women. Many local programs run both types. About 97% of Head Start Preschool services operate in center-based classroom settings. Early Head Start programs also offer home-based services, where a family educator visits the home weekly.

Head Start is not a voucher or cash benefit. Local organizations, school districts, tribal governments, and nonprofit groups receive federal grants to operate programs in their communities. The federal government funds the program at about $12.3 billion per year. Families pay nothing.

The program also includes Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) for children of farmworker families, and American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Head Start programs operated by tribal governments. AIAN programs serve about 21,572 children across 26 states. MSHS programs serve about 24,460 children from families engaged in agricultural work.

Who Qualifies for Head Start?

Your child may be eligible for Head Start if your family income falls at or below 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). For a family of four in 2026, that means annual income of $32,460 or less. The income threshold is lower than many other benefit programs because Head Start targets the families with the greatest need.

Income Eligibility (100% Federal Poverty Level, 2026)

Source: HHS Poverty Guidelines, effective January 2026. 48 contiguous states and DC. Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits.

Income is not the only path to eligibility. Your child automatically qualifies if your family receives SNAP, TANF, or SSI. Children in the child welfare system qualify regardless of income. Children experiencing homelessness also qualify automatically, and programs must give them priority during enrollment.

Head Start programs can also fill up to 10% of their slots with children from families that earn above the poverty level. This means some programs accept children from families earning slightly more than the limits above, depending on local availability and community need.

Age Requirements

Head Start Preschool enrolls children who are 3 or 4 years old at the start of the program year. Early Head Start serves children from birth through age 2 and pregnant women. Some programs also serve children who turn 3 during the program year and are not yet old enough for preschool in their state.

Citizenship and Immigration

Head Start does not require U.S. citizenship. Children of any immigration status can enroll. The program focuses on the child's age and the family's income, not the parents' immigration status.

Use our free screener to check whether your family qualifies for Head Start and other programs in about five minutes.

How Much Can You Get?

Head Start is a service program, not a cash benefit. Your child receives free education, meals, health services, and other supports. The program costs about $10,000 to $15,000 per child per year to operate, but families pay nothing out of pocket.

What Head Start Provides

Early education. Classroom instruction or home visits focused on five areas: language and literacy, social and emotional development, cognition, physical development, and approaches to learning. Teachers follow a structured curriculum with lesson plans tailored to each child.

Meals and nutrition. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks at no charge. Many programs serve meals that meet USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program standards.

Health screenings. Medical, dental, vision, and hearing screenings within the first 90 days of enrollment. Programs help families connect with a medical and dental home if they do not already have one. Programs can connect families to Medicaid or CHIP to cover ongoing health care costs.

Mental health support. On-site or referral-based services for children showing signs of behavioral or emotional difficulties. Programs also provide support for families dealing with stress or trauma.

Family services. Goal-setting with a family services coordinator who helps parents work toward education, job training, housing stability, and financial goals. About 22% of Head Start staff are current or former Head Start parents.

Disability services. At least 10% of funded enrollment slots in each program must be filled by children with diagnosed disabilities. Programs provide individualized services and work with local school districts on special education referrals.

Program Schedules

Head Start Preschool programs operate for at least 1,020 hours per year. Some run for a full calendar year with 10-hour days, similar to a full-time child care schedule. Others follow a school-year calendar. The schedule varies by program.

Early Head Start center-based programs typically operate year-round. Home-based programs provide at least 46 home visits per year (about one per week) and at least 22 group socialization activities.

How to Enroll in Head Start

Head Start enrollment works differently from most benefit programs. You do not apply through a state benefits office. You apply directly to a local Head Start program in your community.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Use our free eligibility screener to find out if your family is likely to qualify. You can also review the income limits above.

Step 2: Find a program near you

Use the Head Start Center Locator to find programs in your area. You can also call 1-866-763-6481 for help finding a local program. Programs exist in every state and most counties.

Step 3: Contact the program and apply

Each local program has its own application process and enrollment period. Many programs accept applications year-round but start new classes in the fall. Contact the program directly to ask about openings and deadlines.

Step 4: Gather your documents

You will need:

• Proof of your child's age (birth certificate)
• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax return, or a letter from your employer)
• Your child's immunization records
• Proof of any benefits your family receives (SNAP, TANF, SSI)
• Any medical or developmental records for your child

Step 5: Complete a family interview

A staff member will meet with you to learn about your family's needs and your child's development. This interview helps the program match your child with the right classroom or home-based services.

Step 6: Selection and enrollment

If the program has open slots, your child may start right away. If there is a waitlist, families with the greatest need get priority. Homeless families, children in the welfare system, and families receiving public assistance typically move to the front of the line.

Programs can have waitlists, especially in areas with high demand. If you are placed on a waitlist, ask about other nearby programs. You can apply to more than one program at a time.

Head Start and Other Programs

Most families who qualify for Head Start also qualify for other benefits. Receiving Head Start does not reduce your eligibility for other programs. Here are some that overlap:

• SNAP (Food Stamps): If your family receives SNAP, your children automatically qualify for Head Start. SNAP income limits (130% FPL) are higher than Head Start limits, so most Head Start families can also get SNAP.
• Medicaid: Head Start programs help families enroll in Medicaid or CHIP for children's health coverage. Many states cover children in families up to 200% FPL or higher through state Medicaid programs.
• WIC: WIC provides supplemental food for pregnant women and children under 5. The income limit is 185% FPL, so most Head Start families qualify for WIC as well.
• TANF: Families receiving TANF cash assistance automatically qualify for Head Start. TANF can also help with job training and other support while your child attends Head Start.
• Child Care Assistance: If Head Start hours do not cover your full work schedule, child care subsidies can fill the gap. Some programs partner with local child care providers to offer extended hours.
• LIHEAP: Low-income families can get help paying heating and cooling bills through LIHEAP. Income limits vary by state.
• School Meals: When your child enters kindergarten, families who received SNAP or TANF qualify automatically for free school meals.

Our free screener checks Head Start and all of these programs at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Head Start the same as preschool?

Head Start includes preschool, but it goes beyond classroom education. The program also provides health screenings, dental checkups, meals, mental health support, and family services. A private preschool typically offers only classroom instruction. Head Start provides all of these services at no charge to qualifying families.

Can I choose which Head Start program my child attends?

You can apply to any Head Start program in your area. Some communities have multiple programs run by different organizations. Use the Head Start Center Locator to see all programs near you. Each program sets its own enrollment criteria beyond the federal requirements.

What is the difference between Head Start and Early Head Start?

Head Start Preschool serves children ages 3 to 5. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, along with pregnant women. Early Head Start programs can be center-based, home-based, or a mix of both. Both programs follow federal performance standards set by the Office of Head Start.

Does Head Start provide transportation?

Many Head Start programs provide bus service or help with transportation costs. This varies by program. When you contact a local program, ask about transportation options. Some programs in rural areas offer home-based services instead of center-based classes, which removes the transportation issue entirely.

What happens when my child ages out of Head Start?

Head Start programs help families plan the transition to kindergarten. Staff work with parents and local school districts to make sure children are ready for the next step. If your child has a disability and receives special education services through Head Start, the program coordinates with the school district to continue those services.

Can my child attend Head Start if we are experiencing homelessness?

Yes. Children experiencing homelessness qualify for Head Start automatically, regardless of family income. Programs must prioritize these children during enrollment. The McKinney-Vento Act also provides education protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

How long has Head Start been around?

Head Start began in 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty. The program has served more than 40 million children since then. Congress reauthorized the program most recently through the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. Early Head Start was added in 1995 to extend services to infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.

Does my child need to be potty-trained to start Head Start?

No. Head Start programs do not require children to be potty-trained before enrollment. Staff work with families on toilet training as part of child development. This is especially relevant for 3-year-olds entering Head Start Preschool for the first time.

How many children does Head Start serve?

In fiscal year 2024, the federal government funded 715,873 enrollment slots. During the 2023-2024 program year, programs served a total of 805,919 children and pregnant women. California has the largest Head Start program, with over 68,000 funded slots. Texas follows close behind with over 61,000. You can find state-level data on the Head Start Program Facts page.