Children at daycare

7,884 Headstart Programs in the United States

Find 7,884 headstart programs across all 50 states. Browse by state and city to find the right daycare for your child.

Browse by State

Select a state to find headstart programs near you.

Al
Alabama
182 daycares
Headstart Programs
182
Al
Alaska
6 daycares
Headstart Programs
6
Ar
Arizona
237 daycares
Headstart Programs
237
Ar
Arkansas
146 daycares
Headstart Programs
146
Ca
California
868 daycares
Headstart Programs
868
Co
Colorado
39 daycares
Headstart Programs
39
Co
Connecticut
32 daycares
Headstart Programs
32
De
Delaware
20 daycares
Headstart Programs
20
Di
District of Columbia
0 daycares
Fl
Florida
312 daycares
Headstart Programs
312
Ge
Georgia
239 daycares
Headstart Programs
239
Ha
Hawaii
96 daycares
Headstart Programs
96
Id
Idaho
9 daycares
Headstart Programs
9
Il
Illinois
192 daycares
Headstart Programs
192
In
Indiana
150 daycares
Headstart Programs
150
Io
Iowa
163 daycares
Headstart Programs
163
Ka
Kansas
87 daycares
Headstart Programs
87
Ke
Kentucky
226 daycares
Headstart Programs
226
Lo
Louisiana
217 daycares
Headstart Programs
217
Ma
Maine
10 daycares
Headstart Programs
10
Ma
Maryland
2 daycares
Headstart Programs
2
Ma
Massachusetts
81 daycares
Headstart Programs
81
Mi
Michigan
288 daycares
Headstart Programs
288
Mi
Minnesota
107 daycares
Headstart Programs
107
Mi
Mississippi
167 daycares
Headstart Programs
167
Mi
Missouri
232 daycares
Headstart Programs
232
Mo
Montana
13 daycares
Headstart Programs
13
Ne
Nebraska
22 daycares
Headstart Programs
22
Ne
Nevada
19 daycares
Headstart Programs
19
Ne
New Hampshire
36 daycares
Headstart Programs
36
Ne
New Jersey
101 daycares
Headstart Programs
101
Ne
New Mexico
165 daycares
Headstart Programs
165
Ne
New York
186 daycares
Headstart Programs
186
No
North Carolina
273 daycares
Headstart Programs
273
No
North Dakota
17 daycares
Headstart Programs
17
Oh
Ohio
274 daycares
Headstart Programs
274
Ok
Oklahoma
255 daycares
Headstart Programs
255
Or
Oregon
56 daycares
Headstart Programs
56
Pe
Pennsylvania
13 daycares
Headstart Programs
13
Pu
Puerto Rico
976 daycares
Headstart Programs
976
Rh
Rhode Island
13 daycares
Headstart Programs
13
So
South Carolina
151 daycares
Headstart Programs
151
So
South Dakota
8 daycares
Headstart Programs
8
Te
Tennessee
285 daycares
Headstart Programs
285
Te
Texas
512 daycares
Headstart Programs
512
Ut
Utah
11 daycares
Headstart Programs
11
Ve
Vermont
11 daycares
Headstart Programs
11
Vi
Virginia
173 daycares
Headstart Programs
173
Wa
Washington
17 daycares
Headstart Programs
17
We
West Virginia
86 daycares
Headstart Programs
86
Wi
Wisconsin
82 daycares
Headstart Programs
82
Wy
Wyoming
21 daycares
Headstart Programs
21

The power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation.

Nelson Mandela

Understanding Head Start programs

Head Start is a federally funded program that provides free early childhood education, health services, and family support to children from low-income families. It serves children from birth to age 5, with Early Head Start covering infants and toddlers.

  • It's free — but eligibility is income-based. Families must earn below the federal poverty line (about $31,200 for a family of four in 2024). Children in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI, SNAP) automatically qualify regardless of income.
  • It's more than school. Head Start provides comprehensive services including dental screenings, vision checks, mental health support, nutrition programs, and connections to community resources. Many programs also offer parenting workshops and family literacy support.
  • Programs vary by community. Some Head Start programs run full-day (6–8 hours), while others are part-day (3.5 hours). Availability depends on local funding — waitlists are common. Apply early, ideally 6–12 months before you need care.
  • Quality is federally monitored. Head Start programs must meet detailed federal performance standards covering education, health, and family engagement. Programs are reviewed every 5 years and can lose funding for non-compliance — this is a stronger accountability system than most state licensing.
  • Where to apply. Contact your local Head Start program directly or use the Head Start Locator at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov. You can also browse programs by state and city on TheDaycareBook to compare options in your area.
  • 10% of enrollment is reserved for children with disabilities. Head Start programs are required to serve children with identified disabilities and provide individualized support, including special education services and therapy when needed.

Frequently asked questions

There are 7884 headstart programs daycares listed in our directory across all 50 states. Browse by state to find options near you.
Head Start is a federally funded program providing free early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income families. To qualify, families generally need to meet federal poverty guidelines, though children in foster care, families receiving public assistance, and homeless families automatically qualify. Programs serve children from birth to age 5.
To apply for Head Start, contact your local Head Start program directly. You'll need to provide documentation of family income, child's age, and residency. Applications are accepted year-round, though enrollment typically begins in the fall. Find your nearest program by browsing our state-by-state directory.
We use a weighted scoring system that combines Google ratings with the number of parent reviews. A daycare with a 4.8 rating from 50 reviews ranks higher than one with a 5.0 from just 2 reviews. This ensures our top-rated lists reflect consistently well-reviewed facilities rather than those with limited feedback.