Head Start in Maine
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
- 64
- towns
- 49
- town has its own Head Start page
- 1
- of all Maine daycares
- 5%
Map of Maine: each dot is a town with Head Start and Early Head Start centers, sized by how many are listed
Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start in Maine
- Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
- 57
- Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
- Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
- 35
- For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
- on the federal Head Start site list
- 54
- 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.
Maine
Largest towns for Head Start in Maine
Programs
Programs in Maine
Counts come from the state record and what each daycare says it offers. A daycare without a tag may still offer the program; ask.
| Program | Listed |
|---|---|
| All daycares | 1,365 |
| Take infants | 60 |
| Child care centers | 782 |
| Accept subsidy | 866 |
| In-home daycares | 583 |
| Christian & church daycares | 25 |
| Montessori schools | 33 |
| Preschools & pre-K | 143 |
| Early morning daycare | 71 |
| Part-time daycare | 39 |
| Head Start | 64 |
The Maine state record
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services licenses daycares in Maine.
- License list
- The state's public list of licensed child care
- Ages served
- On some licenses only; elsewhere shown where the daycare gives them
- Inspections
- On the state's own site; each listing links to it
Before you enroll
Applying to Head Start in Maine
- 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
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
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
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.
Maine
Cost, inspections and ratios in Maine
A to Z
All 49 Maine towns with Head Start, A to Z
B7 towns
D4 towns
- Deer Isle1 center
- Dexter1 center
- Dover-Foxcroft1 center
- Dyer Brook1 center
E2 towns
- East Millinocket1 center
- Ellsworth1 center
F4 towns
- Fairfield1 center
- Farmington1 center
- Fort Kent1 center
- Fryeburg1 center
G1 town
- Gardiner1 center
J1 town
- Jay1 center
M1 town
- Machias1 center
N3 towns
- New Sharon1 center
- Norridgewock2 centers
- Norway2 centers
P2 towns
- Portland2 centers
- Presque Isle2 centers
S7 towns
- Saco1 center
- Sanford1 center
- Searsport2 centers
- Skowhegan1 center
- South Paris1 center
- South Portland2 centers
- Springvale1 center
U1 town
- Unity1 center
W4 towns
- Waterville1 center
- West Paris1 center
- Winslow1 center
- Winterport1 center
No town on this list matches. Check the spelling, or search by ZIP code above.
Nearby
Nearby states
Questions
Questions about Head Start in Maine
How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in Maine?
64 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 49 Maine 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 Maine town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?
Lewiston, with 4 listed. Next are Auburn (2) and Augusta (2).
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 Maine?
Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services licenses daycares in Maine. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.