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Head Start

Head Start in Durham, NC

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 in Durham
12
daycare centers
12
take infants
7
State license records

All Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Durham

Showing 1 to 12 of 12

Providers on paid plans are listed first, then the sites on the federal Head Start list, then A to Z by name. We do not rank daycares.

  1. Child care centerHead Start

    A New Beginning

    4.4· 7 reviews

    3807 University Drive, Durham, NC

    Early Head StartInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    12 state visits · 14 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  2. Child care centerHead Start

    A New Beginning II

    3.8· 11 reviews

    1821 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC

    Early Head StartInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    13 state visits · 26 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  4. Child care centerHead Start

    Durham Head Start-Main Site

    4.8· 35 reviews

    215 Seminary Avenue, Durham, NC

    Head Start and Early Head StartInfants to preschoolAccepts subsidy
    5 state visits · 7 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  6. Child care centerHead Start

    Leathers Meachem Head Start

    908 Liberty Street, Durham, NC

    Head Start and Early Head StartInfants to preschoolAccepts subsidy
    7 state visits · 4 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  10. Child care centerHead Start

    Toddlers Academy

    3.8· 11 reviews

    2811 Beechwood Drive, Durham, NC

    Early Head StartInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    15 state visits · 28 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
How this list is made: Durham daycares where the Office of Head Start lists a Head Start or Early Head Start site, plus those whose name, website or state record says Head Start. 2 of these listings come from public business listings, with no North Carolina license record matched yet. 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 Durham

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
5
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
9
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
10
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.

Cost

What daycare costs in Durham

Full-time infant care in Durham County has a median of $317 a week at a center and $228 at a home daycare. A year at the center median is 22% of the county's median household income. Each daycare sets its own price, so call to ask.

Infant

Center$317
Home daycare$228

Toddler

Center$239
Home daycare$202

Preschool

Center$188
Home daycare$191

Durham County median, full time, per week. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022.

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Durham

  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.

Nearby

Head Start in nearby towns

Chapel Hill10 · 9 miRaleigh6 · 19 miSmithfield4 · 45 miReidsville5 · 50 miGreensboro7 · 51 miWilson4 · 57 miHigh Point3 · 61 miFayetteville12 · 63 miGoldsboro10 · 66 mi

More in this area

More daycare in Durham

All daycares in Durham294Head Start in North CarolinaInfant Daycare in Durham174Preschools & Pre-K in Durham247Affordable Daycare in Durham151In-Home Daycares in Durham84Montessori Schools in Durham11Christian Preschools & Church Daycares in Durham23Early Morning Daycare in Durham23Part-Time Daycare in Durham15Drop-In Daycare in Durham5After-School Care in Durham199Bilingual Daycare in Durham3

Questions

Questions

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

12 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in Durham. 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.

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.

Are these daycares licensed in North Carolina?

Most do: 10 of the 12 listings here come from the North Carolina child care license records. The other 2 come from public business listings, with no license record matched yet.