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Head Start

Head Start in North Dakota

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
39
towns
32
towns have their own Head Start page
2
of all North Dakota daycares
10%

Map of North Dakota: 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 North Dakota

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
37
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
13
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
25
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.

North Dakota

Largest towns for Head Start in North Dakota

Fargo4 centersFort Totten3 centersMayville2 centersValley City2 centersBeulah1 centerBismarck1 centerBottineau1 centerCarson1 centerDevils Lake1 centerDickinson1 centerDunseith1 centerFort Yates1 center

Programs

Programs in North Dakota

Counts come from each daycare's name and what it says it offers; the state license list is not on DaycarePal yet. A daycare without a tag may still offer the program; ask.

ProgramListed
All daycares395
Take infants56
Child care centers375
Accept subsidy19
In-home daycares20
Christian & church daycares20
Montessori schools17
Preschools & pre-K62
Early morning daycare70
Part-time daycare21
Drop-in daycare15
Head Start39

The North Dakota license list

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing licenses daycares in North Dakota. The North Dakota license list is not on DaycarePal yet.

Listings
From public business listings: the name, address, phone, website and hours each business publishes
License
No license record is matched to these listings yet; that does not mean a daycare is unlicensed
Inspections
Not on these listings; check the state's own search
Search the North Dakota license records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in North Dakota

  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.

North Dakota

Cost, inspections and ratios in North Dakota

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

A to Z

All 32 North Dakota towns with Head Start, A to Z

B3 towns
C1 town
D3 towns
F3 towns
G2 towns
H4 towns
J1 town
L2 towns
M4 towns
N1 town
P1 town
S2 towns
T2 towns
V1 town
W2 towns

Nearby

Nearby states

Minnesota181 centersMontana86 centersSouth Dakota698 daycares

Questions

Questions about Head Start in North Dakota

How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in North Dakota?

39 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 32 North Dakota 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 North Dakota town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Fargo, with 4 listed. Next are Fort Totten (3) and Mayville (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 North Dakota?

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood Licensing licenses daycares in North Dakota. Its license list is not on DaycarePal yet, so the listings here come from public business listings and show no license or inspection record. Use the state's own search, linked on this page, to check a daycare's license.