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Head Start

Head Start in Buffalo, NY

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 Buffalo
20
daycare centers
20
take infants
11
State license records

All Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Buffalo

Showing 1 to 20 of 20

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

    First Friends Day Care

    4.5· 20 reviews

    1553 Harlem Road, Buffalo, NY

    Early Head StartInfants to school-agePre-K
    13 state visits · 5 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  2. Child care centerHead Start

    Holy Cross Head Start

    203 Sanders Road North Buffalo Center, Buffalo, NY

    Head StartPreschool only
    16 state visits · 3 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  5. Child care centerHead Start

    Holy Cross Head Start

    1.0· 2 reviews

    155 Lawn Avenue Northwest Center, Buffalo, NY

    Head StartPreschool onlyPre-K
    18 state visits · 0 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  6. Child care centerHead Start

    Holy Cross Headstart

    4.0· 4 reviews

    150 Maryland Street Holy Cross Center 1, Buffalo, NY

    Head StartPreschool onlyPre-K
    14 state visits · 1 rule cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  8. Child care centerHead Start

    Lighthouse Center

    1166 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY

    Early Head StartInfants to school-age
    20 state visits · 4 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  10. Child care centerHead Start

    Puddle Jumpers

    3.9· 21 reviews

    2422 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY

    Early Head StartInfants to school-age
    16 state visits · 6 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  11. Child care centerHead Start

    Puddle Jumpers

    200 E. Eagle, Buffalo, NY

    Early Head StartInfants to school-age
    19 state visits · 6 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
  12. Child care centerHead Start

    Star Light Family Day Care

    5.0· 9 reviews

    1328 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, NY

    Early Head StartInfants to school-age
    15 state visits · 2 rules cited (3 yrs)
    CallDirections
How this list is made: Buffalo 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. 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 Buffalo

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
11
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
20
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 Buffalo

Full-time infant care in Erie County has a median of $289 a week at a center and $200 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$289
Home daycare$200

Toddler

Center$275
Home daycare$200

Preschool

Center$255
Home daycare$198

Erie 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 Buffalo

  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

Lockport3 · 18 miBatavia4 · 33 miAlbion3 · 39 miOlean3 · 61 miRochester6 · 64 miAuburn3 · 115 miElmira3 · 118 miIthaca5 · 123 miSyracuse8 · 136 mi

More in this area

More daycare in Buffalo

All daycares in Buffalo222Head Start in New YorkInfant Daycare in Buffalo48Preschools & Pre-K in Buffalo67Affordable Daycare in Buffalo5In-Home Daycares in Buffalo129Early Morning Daycare in Buffalo23Part-Time Daycare in Buffalo5After-School Care in Buffalo55

Questions

Questions

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

20 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in Buffalo. 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 New York?

Every listing here comes from the New York child care license records.