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Head Start

Head Start in Kentucky

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
278
towns
156
towns have their own Head Start page
27
of all Kentucky daycares
11%

Map of Kentucky: 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 Kentucky

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
241
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
123
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
188
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.

Kentucky

Largest towns for Head Start in Kentucky

Louisville20 centersLexington10 centersMurray6 centersMt. Sterling5 centersOwensboro5 centersLiberty4 centersShelbyville4 centersSomerset4 centersWest Liberty4 centersBenton3 centersBowling Green3 centersCovington3 centers

Programs

Programs in Kentucky

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 daycares2,445
Take infants1,085
Child care centers2,241
Accept subsidy1,644
In-home daycares204
Christian & church daycares225
Montessori schools56
Preschools & pre-K1,682
Early morning daycare393
Part-time daycare88
Drop-in daycare12
After-school care1,309
Bilingual daycare10
Head Start278

The Kentucky state record

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services licenses daycares in Kentucky.

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
Search the Kentucky state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Kentucky

  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.

Kentucky

Cost, inspections and ratios in Kentucky

Daycare cost in KentuckyWeekly prices by age and countyWhat Kentucky inspectors citeThe rules cited most, and what they meanStaff-to-child ratios in KentuckyHow many children each adult may care forTour checklist for KentuckyQuestions to ask when you visit

A to Z

All 156 Kentucky towns with Head Start, A to Z

A3 towns
B15 towns
C16 towns
D4 towns
E9 towns
F5 towns
G7 towns
H12 towns
I1 town
J3 towns
L14 towns
M15 towns
N3 towns
O4 towns
P8 towns
R6 towns
S12 towns
T4 towns
V2 towns
W12 towns
Y1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Ohio626 centersIllinois390 centersTennessee316 centersMissouri207 centersVirginia166 centersIndiana163 centersWest Virginia80 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Kentucky

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

278 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 156 Kentucky 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 Kentucky town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Louisville, with 20 listed. Next are Lexington (10) and Murray (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 Kentucky?

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services licenses daycares in Kentucky. It publishes its inspections and the rules it cited, and we copy them onto each listing.