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Head Start

Head Start in District of Columbia

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
39
town
1
town has its own Head Start page
1
of all District of Columbia daycares
9%

Map of District of Columbia: 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 District of Columbia

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
7
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
39
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.

District of Columbia

Largest towns for Head Start in District of Columbia

Washington39 centers

Programs

Programs in District of Columbia

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 daycares452
Take infants339
Child care centers362
Accept subsidy29
In-home daycares90
Christian & church daycares17
Montessori schools31
Preschools & pre-K347
Night daycare31
Early morning daycare76
Part-time daycare25
Drop-in daycare11
After-school care99
Bilingual daycare55
Head Start39

The District of Columbia state record

Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Division of Early Learning licenses daycares in District of Columbia.

License list
The state's public list of licensed child care
Ages served
The ages on each license
Inspections
Every visit the state publishes back to 2023
Cited rules
Each cited rule, in the state's own wording
Corrections
Correction dates as the state records them
Search the District of Columbia state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in District of Columbia

  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.

District of Columbia

Cost, inspections and ratios in District of Columbia

Daycare cost in District of ColumbiaWeekly prices by age and countyWhat District of Columbia inspectors citeThe rules cited most, and what they meanStaff-to-child ratios in District of ColumbiaHow many children each adult may care forTour checklist for District of ColumbiaQuestions to ask when you visit

A to Z

The one District of Columbia town with Head Start

W1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Virginia166 centersMaryland93 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in District of Columbia

How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in District of Columbia?

39 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 1 District of Columbia town. 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 District of Columbia town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Washington, with 39 listed.

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 District of Columbia?

Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Division of Early Learning licenses daycares in District of Columbia. It publishes its inspections and the rules it cited, and we copy them onto each listing.