How to Apply for Head Start and Early Head Start in 2026
Quick answer
You apply for Head Start by contacting your local Head Start or Early Head Start program directly – use the Head Start locator at findheadstart.acf.hhs.gov or call to find one near you. Head Start is free for eligible families.
- Head Start offers free early education for children from low-income families.
- Early Head Start serves pregnant women, infants, and toddlers.
- Eligibility is based on income, with priority for certain families.
- Apply directly through your local Head Start program – it is free.
Head Start and Early Head Start provide free early learning, health, and family support for young children from low-income families. Here is who qualifies and how to apply in 2026.
What the programs offer
- Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5 with early education that prepares them for school, plus health screenings and family services.
- Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children under 3 with early development support.
Both are free and also connect families to resources like health care and nutrition.
Who is eligible
Eligibility is mainly based on household income (families at or below the federal poverty guidelines usually qualify). Children who are in foster care, homeless, or from families receiving TANF or SSI often qualify automatically, and programs may reserve spots for children with disabilities.
How to apply
- Find your local program using the Head Start locator (see the official source below).
- Contact the program and ask for an application and its enrollment window.
- Provide proof of income, your child’s age and birth certificate, and immunization or health records.
- Complete an interview; if spots are full, ask about the waiting list.
Applying is free – never pay to enroll.
Related help for your family
Head Start pairs well with other supports: WIC for nutrition, Medicaid and CHIP for children’s health, free school meals as children grow, and benefits for single mothers. If money is tight now, see emergency cash assistance.
What to do next
Find your nearest program and ask about openings for the coming term. Because slots are limited, apply early and keep your paperwork ready.
What makes Head Start different
Head Start is more than daycare. Programs include health, dental, and developmental screenings, meals, and support for children with disabilities, plus services that help the whole family – such as job and housing referrals and parenting resources. Because it is locally run, each program sets its own enrollment windows and may weigh factors like income, homelessness, or a child’s needs when spots are limited. That is why it helps to contact the program directly, ask exactly which documents they need, and apply as early as you can. If no local slot is open, ask whether nearby programs or state-funded pre-kindergarten have space so your child does not miss out on early learning.
Official source
Find a program and learn more through the Office of Head Start at acf.hhs.gov/ohs and the locator at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator. It is free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Head Start really free?
Yes. Head Start and Early Head Start are free for eligible families. You never pay tuition or a third-party fee to enroll.
What ages does it serve?
Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5; Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children under 3.
What if the program is full?
Ask to join the waiting list and check back. Programs often prioritize children with the greatest need, including those with disabilities.
What to Do Next
Ready to act? Applying, checking status, and getting help are free through the official agency – you never pay a third party. Gather what you need, apply or respond early, and keep copies of everything you submit.
See also: where to get free diapers.
See also: other benefits for low-income families.
Next steps
Ready to take the next step? benefits eligibility quick-check, documents you need to apply. Confirm details at the official Benefits.gov site. Applying is always free, and GlobalBenefits is not a government agency.
Related on GlobalBenefits: Free and Reduced-Price School Meals in 2026: How to Apply