Head Start

Child Care | NYC Department of Education (DOE)

Children (0-13)ImmigrantsNYCHA residentsToddlerPre-Schooler

Head Start programs provide safe and positive environments for children age 3-4 to learn, play, and build the skills that get them ready for kindergarten and beyond. Programs also provide health, nutrition, and other services to children and their families.

Heads Up

  • Your child can begin a Head Start program at any time of the year if you qualify and there are open seats.
  • Programs are free and run year-round for at least eight hours a day.
  • Your child can get nutritious meals and health screenings.
  • Head Start programs also help parents and families achieve their own goals. These include employment, housing, adult education, and accessing health services.
  • Limited space is also available in (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/early-learn/) Early Head Start programs, which serve pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers.
  • Head Start programs are located in centers run by community organizations and non-profits.
  • Eligibility is based on your family’s income, housing situation, and/or if you get HRA cash assistance or SSI.

    • Eligibility

    Your family may qualify for Head Start if one or more of these apply to you:

  • You live in temporary housing
  • You receive HRA Cash Assistance
  • You receive SNAP
  • You receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  • You're enrolling a child who is in foster care
  • Your family income falls below the amounts below:
  • Household size|Yearly income
  • 2|$20,440
  • 3|$25,820
  • 4|$31,200
  • 5|$36,580 
  • 6|$41,960 
  • 7|$47,340 
  • 8|$52,720 
  • Each Additional Person|$5,380
  • The best way to find out if your family is eligible for Head Start is to contact a program directly.

    Required Documents

    NULL

    How to Apply

    To find and apply to a Head Start program:

  • Go to MySchools (3-k) (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/3k/) or MySchools (Pre-K) (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/pre-k/) .
  • Click “More Filters”. Select the “Head Start” checkbox under “Year-Round 3-K / Pre-K Programs”.
  • Type in your home address to search for a program.
  • Contact a program that you're interested in.

    Online

    NULL

    By Mail

    Get Help

  • Learn more about Head Start from NYCDOE (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/head-start) .
  • Call 311 and ask for "Head Start" if you need help finding a program.

    • Head Start

    Child Care | NYC Department of Education (DOE)

    Children (0-13)FamiliesToddlerPre-Schooler

    Head Start programs provide safe and positive environments for children age 3-4 to learn, play, and build the skills that get them ready for kindergarten and beyond. Programs also provide health, nutrition, and other services to children and their families.

    Heads Up

  • Your child can begin a Head Start program at any time of the year if you qualify and there are open seats.
  • Programs are free and run year-round for at least eight hours a day.
  • Your child can get nutritious meals and health screenings.
  • Head Start programs also help parents and families achieve their own goals. These include employment, housing, adult education, and accessing health services.
  • Limited space is also available in (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/early-learn/) Early Head Start programs, which serve pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers.
  • Head Start programs are located in centers run by community organizations and non-profits.
  • Eligibility is based on your family’s income, housing situation, and/or if you get HRA cash assistance or SSI.

    • Eligibility

    Your family may qualify for Head Start if one or more of these apply to you:

  • You live in temporary housing
  • You receive HRA Cash Assistance
  • You receive SNAP
  • You receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
  • You're enrolling a child who is in foster care
  • Your family income falls below the amounts below:
  • Household size|Yearly income
  • 2|$20,440
  • 3|$25,820
  • 4|$31,200
  • 5|$36,580 
  • 6|$41,960 
  • 7|$47,340 
  • 8|$52,720 
  • Each Additional Person|$5,380
  • The best way to find out if your family is eligible for Head Start is to contact a program directly.

    Required Documents

    NULL

    How to Apply

    To find and apply to a Head Start program:

  • Go to MySchools (3-k) (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/3k/) or MySchools (Pre-K) (https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/pre-k/) .
  • Click “More Filters”. Select the “Head Start” checkbox under “Year-Round 3-K / Pre-K Programs”.
  • Type in your home address to search for a program.
  • Contact a program that you're interested in.

    Online

    NULL

    By Mail

    Get Help

  • Learn more about Head Start from NYCDOE (https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/head-start) .
  • Call 311 and ask for "Head Start" if you need help finding a program.

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