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Head Start

Head Start in Illinois

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
390
towns
164
towns have their own Head Start page
15
of all Illinois daycares
5%

Map of Illinois: 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 Illinois

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
343
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
253
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
372
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.

Illinois

Largest towns for Head Start in Illinois

Chicago158 centersKankakee7 centersCicero6 centersPeoria6 centersJoliet5 centersMoline5 centersAurora4 centersBerwyn4 centersEvanston4 centersAddison3 centersBellwood3 centersBloomington3 centers

Programs

Programs in Illinois

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 daycares8,493
Take infants7,433
Child care centers2,842
Accept subsidy188
In-home daycares5,651
Christian & church daycares203
Montessori schools182
Preschools & pre-K8,381
Early morning daycare1,142
Part-time daycare356
Drop-in daycare35
After-school care8,304
Bilingual daycare108
Head Start390

The Illinois state record

Illinois Department of Early Childhood licenses daycares in Illinois.

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 Illinois state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Illinois

  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.

Illinois

Cost, inspections and ratios in Illinois

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

A to Z

All 164 Illinois towns with Head Start, A to Z

A6 towns
B15 towns
C26 towns
D3 towns
E11 towns
F1 town
G7 towns
H4 towns
J5 towns
K2 towns
L9 towns
M15 towns
N3 towns
O4 towns
P13 towns
Q1 town
R9 towns
S14 towns
T3 towns
U2 towns
V4 towns
W6 towns
Z1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Kentucky278 centersMissouri207 centersWisconsin180 centersIndiana163 centersIowa118 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Illinois

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

390 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 164 Illinois 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 Illinois town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Chicago, with 158 listed. Next are Kankakee (7) and Cicero (6).

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 Illinois?

Illinois Department of Early Childhood licenses daycares in Illinois. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.