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Head Start

Head Start in Minnesota

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
181
towns
126
towns have their own Head Start page
6
of all Minnesota daycares
2%

Map of Minnesota: 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 Minnesota

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
174
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
84
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
161
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.

Minnesota

Largest towns for Head Start in Minnesota

Saint Paul16 centersMinneapolis10 centersDuluth8 centersRochester6 centersDetroit Lakes4 centersSaint Cloud3 centersAlexandria2 centersBrainerd2 centersFrazee2 centersGlencoe2 centersHutchinson2 centersLake City2 centers

Programs

Programs in Minnesota

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 daycares7,811
Take infants484
Child care centers2,391
Accept subsidy181
In-home daycares5,420
Christian & church daycares274
Montessori schools148
Preschools & pre-K674
Early morning daycare505
Part-time daycare231
Drop-in daycare47
Bilingual daycare66
Head Start181

The Minnesota state record

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families licenses daycares in Minnesota.

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 Minnesota state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Minnesota

  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.

Minnesota

Cost, inspections and ratios in Minnesota

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

A to Z

All 126 Minnesota towns with Head Start, A to Z

A8 towns
B14 towns
C9 towns
D6 towns
E6 towns
F7 towns
G3 towns
H4 towns
I1 town
J1 town
K1 town
L7 towns
M14 towns
N4 towns
O6 towns
P6 towns
R5 towns
S10 towns
T3 towns
V1 town
W9 towns
Z1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Wisconsin180 centersIowa118 centersNorth Dakota39 centersSouth Dakota698 daycares

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Minnesota

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

181 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 126 Minnesota 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 Minnesota town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Saint Paul, with 16 listed. Next are Minneapolis (10) and Duluth (8).

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 Minnesota?

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families licenses daycares in Minnesota. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.