Skip to content
DaycarePal
Head Start

Head Start in Florida

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
772
towns
204
towns have their own Head Start page
60
of all Florida daycares
8%

Map of Florida: 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 Florida

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
347
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
283
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
420
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.

Florida

Largest towns for Head Start in Florida

Miami98 centersJacksonville49 centersOrlando45 centersTampa42 centersHomestead19 centersPensacola18 centersMiami Gardens16 centersTallahassee14 centersHialeah12 centersWest Palm Beach12 centersGainesville11 centersOcala11 centers

Programs

Programs in Florida

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 daycares10,171
Take infants7,124
Child care centers9,020
Accept subsidy5,973
In-home daycares1,151
Christian & church daycares1,273
Montessori schools298
Preschools & pre-K8,034
Early morning daycare1,935
Part-time daycare443
Drop-in daycare116
After-school care9,506
Bilingual daycare210
Head Start772
Florida VPK5,453

The Florida state record

Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Child Care Regulation licenses daycares in Florida.

License list
The state's public list of licensed child care
Ages served
The ages on each license
Inspections
On the state's own site; each listing links to it
Search the Florida state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Florida

  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.

Florida

Cost, inspections and ratios in Florida

Daycare cost in FloridaWeekly prices by age and countyStaff-to-child ratios in FloridaHow many children each adult may care forDaycare tour checklistQuestions to ask when you visit

A to Z

All 204 Florida towns with Head Start, A to Z

A9 towns
B13 towns
C16 towns
D8 towns
E5 towns
F9 towns
G7 towns
H12 towns
I4 towns
J6 towns
K3 towns
L14 towns
M20 towns
N9 towns
O9 towns
P21 towns
Q1 town
R4 towns
S14 towns
T5 towns
U1 town
V2 towns
W11 towns
Z1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Georgia291 centersAlabama175 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Florida

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

772 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 204 Florida 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 Florida town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Miami, with 98 listed. Next are Jacksonville (49) and Orlando (45).

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 Florida?

Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Child Care Regulation licenses daycares in Florida. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.