Head Start in Colorado
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
- 156
- towns
- 48
- towns have their own Head Start page
- 12
- of all Colorado daycares
- 4%
Map of Colorado: each dot is a town with Head Start and Early Head Start centers, sized by how many are listed
Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start in Colorado
- Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
- 125
- Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
- Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
- 73
- For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
- on the federal Head Start site list
- 155
- 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.
Colorado
Largest towns for Head Start in Colorado
Programs
Programs in Colorado
Counts come from the state record and what each daycare says it offers. A daycare without a tag may still offer the program; ask.
| Program | Listed |
|---|---|
| All daycares | 4,335 |
| Take infants | 777 |
| Child care centers | 3,048 |
| Accept subsidy | 2,294 |
| In-home daycares | 1,287 |
| Christian & church daycares | 136 |
| Montessori schools | 114 |
| Preschools & pre-K | 2,103 |
| Early morning daycare | 194 |
| After-school care | 2,237 |
| Head Start | 156 |
The Colorado state record
Colorado Department of Early Childhood licenses daycares in Colorado.
- License list
- The state's public list of licensed child care
- Ages served
- On some licenses only; elsewhere shown where the daycare gives them
- Inspections
- On the state's own site; each listing links to it
Before you enroll
Applying to Head Start in Colorado
- 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
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
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
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.
Colorado
Cost, inspections and ratios in Colorado
A to Z
All 48 Colorado towns with Head Start, A to Z
B5 towns
- Berthoud1 center
- Boone1 center
- Boulder2 centers
- Breckenridge1 center
- Brighton1 center
C6 towns
- Canon City2 centers
- Center2 centers
- Colorado Springs21 centers
- Commerce City1 center
- Cortez1 center
- Cripple Creek1 center
F3 towns
- Fort Collins13 centers
- Fountain1 center
- Frisco1 center
G2 towns
- Grand Junction3 centers
- Greeley6 centers
M1 town
- Monte Vista1 center
N1 town
- Northglenn3 centers
P4 towns
- Pagosa Springs1 center
- Peyton1 center
- Pueblo5 centers
- Pueblo West2 centers
W5 towns
- Walsenburg1 center
- Wellington1 center
- Westminster2 centers
- Wheat Ridge1 center
- Woodland Park1 center
No town on this list matches. Check the spelling, or search by ZIP code above.
Nearby
Nearby states
Questions
Questions about Head Start in Colorado
How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in Colorado?
156 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 48 Colorado 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 Colorado town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?
Denver, with 33 listed. Next are Colorado Springs (21) and Fort Collins (13).
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 Colorado?
Colorado Department of Early Childhood licenses daycares in Colorado. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.