Skip to content
DaycarePal
Head Start

Head Start in Nebraska

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
44
towns
17
towns have their own Head Start page
2
of all Nebraska daycares
2%

Map of Nebraska: 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 Nebraska

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
37
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
20
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
43
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.

Nebraska

Largest towns for Head Start in Nebraska

Omaha23 centersBellevue4 centersLincoln2 centersScottsbluff2 centersChildhood Schuyler1 centerCrete1 centerFairbury1 centerFalls City1 centerFremont1 centerGeneva1 centerHastings1 centerHumboldt1 center

Programs

Programs in Nebraska

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 daycares2,629
Take infants2,112
Child care centers1,121
Accept subsidy1,559
In-home daycares1,508
Christian & church daycares112
Montessori schools37
Preschools & pre-K2,421
24-hour daycare306
Night daycare664
Early morning daycare1,669
Weekend daycare544
Part-time daycare73
Drop-in daycare27
After-school care2,614
Head Start44

The Nebraska state record

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Services Licensing licenses daycares in Nebraska.

License list
The state's public list of licensed child care
Ages served
The ages on each license
Inspections
On the state's own site; each listing links to it
Search the Nebraska state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Nebraska

  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.

Nebraska

Cost, inspections and ratios in Nebraska

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

A to Z

All 17 Nebraska towns with Head Start, A to Z

B1 town
C2 towns
F3 towns
G1 town
H2 towns
L2 towns
O1 town
S2 towns
W2 towns
Y1 town

Nearby

Nearby states

Missouri207 centersColorado156 centersIowa118 centersKansas73 centersWyoming31 centersSouth Dakota698 daycares

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Nebraska

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

44 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 17 Nebraska 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 Nebraska town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Omaha, with 23 listed. Next are Bellevue (4) and Lincoln (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 Nebraska?

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Services Licensing licenses daycares in Nebraska. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.