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Head Start

Head Start in Louisiana

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
285
towns
160
towns have their own Head Start page
17
of all Louisiana daycares
11%

Map of Louisiana: 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 Louisiana

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
215
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
125
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
246
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.

Louisiana

Largest towns for Head Start in Louisiana

New Orleans39 centersBaton Rouge11 centersMonroe11 centersShreveport8 centersHouma4 centersLake Charles4 centersMarrero4 centersPlaquemine4 centersRuston4 centersAbbeville3 centersDonaldsonville3 centersGonzales3 centers

Programs

Programs in Louisiana

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 daycares2,503
Take infants1,452
Child care centers2,503
Accept subsidy1,101
In-home daycaresNone listed
Christian & church daycares257
Montessori schools53
Preschools & pre-K2,490
24-hour daycare36
Night daycare111
Early morning daycare816
Weekend daycare58
Part-time daycare47
Drop-in daycare10
Head Start285

The Louisiana state record

Louisiana Department of Education licenses daycares in Louisiana.

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 Louisiana state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Louisiana

  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.

Louisiana

Cost, inspections and ratios in Louisiana

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

A to Z

All 160 Louisiana towns with Head Start, A to Z

A7 towns
B15 towns
C13 towns
D5 towns
E5 towns
F4 towns
G7 towns
H10 towns
I2 towns
J4 towns
K5 towns
L11 towns
M14 towns
N8 towns
O5 towns
P12 towns
R8 towns
S12 towns
T3 towns
V4 towns
W5 towns
Z1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Texas565 centersArkansas236 centersMississippi177 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Louisiana

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

285 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 160 Louisiana 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 Louisiana town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

New Orleans, with 39 listed. Next are Baton Rouge (11) and Monroe (11).

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 Louisiana?

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