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Head Start

Head Start in Alabama

Head Start is free preschool for children 3 to 5 from families who qualify, and Early Head Start serves babies and toddlers. Families qualify by income, or when they receive public assistance, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home.

Head Start and Early Head Start centers listed
175
towns
119
towns have their own Head Start page
8
of all Alabama daycares
8%

Map of Alabama: each dot is a town with Head Start and Early Head Start centers, sized by how many are listed

Head Start
What puts a daycare on this listThe Office of Head Start lists a Head Start or Early Head Start site at the daycare, or its name, its own website or its state record says Head Start.Head Start programs also run classrooms in public schools and home-based services that may not be on this list; the Office of Head Start's locator lists every site.

Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start in Alabama

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
151
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
97
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
153
The Office of Head Start lists a site at these daycares. The others say Head Start in their name, on their website or on their state record.
How to apply for Head Start (Office of Head Start)

Head Start sites: Office of Head Start, Head Start service locations (Administration for Children and Families), 2026.

Alabama

Largest towns for Head Start in Alabama

Birmingham12 centersMobile12 centersMontgomery12 centersDecatur3 centersPrichard3 centersTallassee3 centersTheodore3 centersTuskegee3 centersAthens2 centersBlountsville2 centersCentre2 centersDothan2 centers

Programs

Programs in Alabama

Counts come from the state record and what each daycare says it offers. A daycare without a tag may still offer the program; ask.

ProgramListed
All daycares2,286
Take infants1,773
Child care centers1,833
Accept subsidy37
In-home daycares453
Christian & church daycares528
Montessori schools27
Preschools & pre-K2,148
Night daycare345
Early morning daycare1,449
Part-time daycare61
Drop-in daycare19
After-school care1,565
Head Start175

The Alabama state record

Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Care Services Division licenses daycares in Alabama.

License list
The state's public list of licensed child care
Ages served
The ages on each license
Inspections
On the state's own site; each listing links to it
Search the Alabama state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Alabama

  1. 1

    Check that you qualify

    Families qualify by income, or when they receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home. Programs may take some other children too.

  2. 2

    Have your papers ready

    Ask the program which papers to bring, such as proof of your child's age and of your family's income or benefits.

  3. 3

    Ask about the waitlist

    There are not enough places for every child who qualifies. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist.

  4. 4

    Ask about the day

    Some programs run full days, some part days or the school year only, and some visit families at home. Ask which fits your family.

Alabama

Cost, inspections and ratios in Alabama

Daycare cost in AlabamaWeekly prices by age and countyStaff-to-child ratios in AlabamaHow many children each adult may care forDaycare tour checklistQuestions to ask when you visit

A to Z

All 119 Alabama towns with Head Start, A to Z

A10 towns
B8 towns
C12 towns
D5 towns
E6 towns
F5 towns
G5 towns
H10 towns
I1 town
J2 towns
L8 towns
M10 towns
N1 town
O5 towns
P6 towns
R3 towns
S9 towns
T8 towns
U1 town
V1 town
W2 towns
Y1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Florida772 centersTennessee316 centersGeorgia291 centersMississippi177 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Alabama

How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in Alabama?

175 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 119 Alabama towns. Head Start programs also run classrooms in public schools and home-based services that may not be on this list; the Office of Head Start's locator lists every site.

Which Alabama town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Birmingham, with 12 listed. Next are Mobile (12) and Montgomery (12).

Who qualifies for Head Start?

Children from families whose income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines, families that receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, children in foster care and children experiencing homelessness. Programs may also take some children who do not meet these rules, so ask.

Is Head Start free?

Yes. Head Start and Early Head Start cost nothing for families who qualify.

What ages does Head Start serve?

Head Start preschool is for children 3 to 5. Early Head Start is for babies and toddlers from birth to 3, and many programs also serve expectant families.

How do I apply for Head Start?

Call or visit the Head Start program near you; it explains the papers you need. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist. The Office of Head Start's apply page links to its national locator.

Who licenses daycares in Alabama?

Alabama Department of Human Resources, Child Care Services Division licenses daycares in Alabama. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.