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Head Start

Head Start in San Diego, CA

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 in San Diego
38
daycare centers
38
take infants
4
State license records

All Head Start and Early Head Start centers in San Diego

Showing 1 to 30 of 38

Providers on paid plans are listed first, then the sites on the federal Head Start list, then A to Z by name. We do not rank daycares.

  17. Child care centerHead Start

    NHA - Miller Head Start

    3.4· 5 reviews

    4343 Shields Street, San Diego, CA

    Head Start and Early Head StartMeals provided
    Citations on record: Type A 0 · Type B 0
    CallDirections
30 of 38
How this list is made: San Diego daycares where the Office of Head Start lists a Head Start or Early Head Start site, plus those whose name, website or 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.

All 38 Head Start and Early Head Start centers in San Diego, A to Z

Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start in San Diego

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
35
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
24
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
37
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.

Cost

What daycare costs in San Diego

Full-time infant care in San Diego County has a median of $379 a week at a center and $251 at a home daycare. A year at the center median is 20% of the county's median household income. Each daycare sets its own price, so call to ask.

Infant

Center$379
Home daycare$251

Toddler

Center$269
Home daycare$238

Preschool

Center$243
Home daycare$238

San Diego County median, full time, per week. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022.

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in San Diego

  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.

Nearby

Head Start in nearby towns

National City9 · 6 miSpring Valley4 · 7 miChula Vista6 · 10 miEl Cajon4 · 14 miPoway3 · 16 miEscondido5 · 26 miSan Marcos4 · 27 miOceanside3 · 33 miThermal3 · 75 mi

More in this area

More daycare in San Diego

All daycares in San Diego963Head Start in CaliforniaInfant Daycare in San Diego91Preschools & Pre-K in San Diego130Affordable Daycare in San Diego20In-Home Daycares in San Diego631Montessori Schools in San Diego21Christian Preschools & Church Daycares in San Diego39Early Morning Daycare in San Diego35Part-Time Daycare in San Diego28Drop-In Daycare in San Diego7After-School Care in San Diego49Bilingual Daycare in San Diego13

Questions

Questions

How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in San Diego?

38 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in San Diego. 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.

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.

Are these daycares licensed in California?

Every listing here comes from the California child care license records.