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Head Start

Head Start in San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33
daycare centers
33
take infants
12
State license records

All Head Start and Early Head Start centers in San Francisco

Showing 1 to 30 of 33

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.

30 of 33
How this list is made: San Francisco 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 33 Head Start and Early Head Start centers in San Francisco, A to Z

Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start in San Francisco

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
32
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
23
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
31
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 Francisco

Full-time infant care in San Francisco County has a median of $607 a week at a center and $395 at a home daycare. A year at the center median is 23% of the county's median household income. Each daycare sets its own price, so call to ask.

Infant

Center$607
Home daycare$395

Toddler

Center$433
Home daycare$369

Preschool

Center$477
Home daycare$410

San Francisco 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 Francisco

  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

Alameda3 · 9 miBerkeley3 · 12 miOakland22 · 13 miRichmond9 · 14 miSan Rafael3 · 18 miHayward6 · 21 miMenlo Park3 · 25 miNovato3 · 25 miConcord3 · 27 mi

More in this area

More daycare in San Francisco

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Questions

Questions

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

33 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in San Francisco. 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.