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Head Start

Head Start in Michigan

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
427
towns
237
towns have their own Head Start page
23
of all Michigan daycares
6%

Map of Michigan: 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 Michigan

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
387
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
185
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
385
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.

Michigan

Largest towns for Head Start in Michigan

Detroit50 centersFlint17 centersKalamazoo12 centersLansing12 centersJackson10 centersGrand Rapids9 centersMuskegon9 centersSaginaw8 centersClinton Township4 centersMarquette4 centersYpsilanti4 centersAlpena3 centers

Programs

Programs in Michigan

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 daycares7,685
Take infants376
Child care centers4,534
Accept subsidy123
In-home daycares3,151
Christian & church daycares409
Montessori schools161
Preschools & pre-K956
Early morning daycare534
Part-time daycare208
Drop-in daycare56
Bilingual daycare14
Head Start427

The Michigan state record

Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, Child Care Licensing Bureau licenses daycares in Michigan.

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
Search the Michigan state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Michigan

  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.

Michigan

Cost, inspections and ratios in Michigan

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

A to Z

All 237 Michigan towns with Head Start, A to Z

A8 towns
B19 towns
C21 towns
D10 towns
E5 towns
F9 towns
G15 towns
H19 towns
I10 towns
J1 town
K8 towns
L8 towns
M25 towns
N10 towns
O7 towns
P10 towns
Q1 town
R12 towns
S21 towns
T6 towns
V1 town
W9 towns
Y2 towns

Nearby

Nearby states

Ohio626 centersWisconsin180 centersIndiana163 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Michigan

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

427 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 237 Michigan 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 Michigan town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Detroit, with 50 listed. Next are Flint (17) and Kalamazoo (12).

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 Michigan?

Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, Child Care Licensing Bureau licenses daycares in Michigan. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.