Skip to content
DaycarePal
Head Start

Head Start in Washington, DC

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 Washington
39
daycare centers
38
in-home daycare
1
take infants
38
State license records

All Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Washington

Showing 1 to 30 of 39

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.

  2. Child care centerHead Start

    Big Mama's Children's Center

    5.0· 6 reviews

    4680 Martin Luther King Jr. AVE, SW, Washington, DC

    Early Head StartInfants to school-ageOpens before 7 AM
    5 state visits · 58 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  3. Child care centerHead Start

    Bright Beginnings

    3418 4th ST, SE, Washington, DC

    Head Start and Early Head StartInfants to preschoolOpen after 7 PM
    8 state visits · 50 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  11. Child care centerHead Start

    Educare DC- IDEA

    4501 Lee ST, NE, Washington, DC

    Early Head StartInfants to toddlers
    6 state visits · 7 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  12. Child care centerHead Start

    Educare of Washington DC

    4.7· 16 reviews

    640 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington, DC

    Head Start and Early Head StartInfants to preschoolPre-K
    10 state visits · 12 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  18. Child care centerHead Start

    Jubilee Jumpstart

    5.0· 5 reviews

    2525 Ontario RD, NW, Washington, DC

    Early Head StartInfants to preschool
    5 state visits · 20 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  19. Child care centerHead Start

    Kids Are People Too CDC V

    2.5· 8 reviews

    4315 Nannie Helen Burroughs AVE, NE, Washington, DC

    Early Head StartInfants to toddlersOpens before 7 AM
    6 state visits · 39 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  20. Child care centerHead Start

    Kids Are Us Learning Center

    4.0· 12 reviews

    1236 Southern AVE, SE, Washington, DC

    Early Head StartInfants to preschoolOpens before 7 AM
    6 state visits · 46 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  24. Child care centerHead Start

    Rosemount Center

    4.8· 33 reviews

    2000 Rosemount AVE, NW, Washington, DC

    Head Start and Early Head StartInfants to preschoolAccepts subsidy
    5 state visits · 16 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
30 of 39
How this list is made: Washington 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 39 Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Washington, A to Z

Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start in Washington

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.

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Washington

  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.

More in this area

More daycare in Washington

All daycares in Washington452Head Start in District of ColumbiaInfant Daycare in Washington339Preschools & Pre-K in Washington347Affordable Daycare in Washington29In-Home Daycares in Washington90Montessori Schools in Washington31Christian Preschools & Church Daycares in Washington1724-Hour Daycare in Washington3Night Daycare in Washington31Early Morning Daycare in Washington76Part-Time Daycare in Washington25Drop-In Daycare in Washington11After-School Care in Washington99Bilingual Daycare in Washington55

Questions

Questions

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

39 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in Washington. 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 District of Columbia?

Every listing here comes from the District of Columbia child care license records.