Head Start in Rhode Island
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
- 21
- towns
- 11
- towns have their own Head Start page
- 2
- of all Rhode Island daycares
- 5%
Map of Rhode Island: each dot is a town with Head Start and Early Head Start centers, sized by how many are listed
Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start in Rhode Island
- Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
- 20
- Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
- Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
- 14
- For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
- on the federal Head Start site list
- 18
- 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.
Rhode Island
Largest towns for Head Start in Rhode Island
Programs
Programs in Rhode Island
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.
| Program | Listed |
|---|---|
| All daycares | 429 |
| Take infants | 76 |
| Child care centers | 388 |
| Accept subsidy | 24 |
| In-home daycares | 41 |
| Christian & church daycares | 6 |
| Montessori schools | 21 |
| Preschools & pre-K | 118 |
| Early morning daycare | 81 |
| Part-time daycare | 30 |
| Bilingual daycare | 14 |
| Head Start | 21 |
The Rhode Island license list
Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Office of Child Care licenses daycares in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island 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
Before you enroll
Applying to Head Start in Rhode Island
- 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
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
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
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.
Rhode Island
Cost, inspections and ratios in Rhode Island
A to Z
All 11 Rhode Island towns with Head Start, A to Z
C2 towns
- Central Falls1 center
- Cranston2 centers
J1 town
- Johnston1 center
N1 town
- North Providence1 center
P2 towns
- Pascoag1 center
- Providence7 centers
R1 town
- Riverside2 centers
T1 town
- Tiverton1 center
W3 towns
- Warren1 center
- Warwick1 center
- Woonsocket3 centers
No town on this list matches. Check the spelling, or search by ZIP code above.
Nearby
Nearby states
Questions
Questions about Head Start in Rhode Island
How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in Rhode Island?
21 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 11 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?
Providence, with 7 listed. Next are Woonsocket (3) and Cranston (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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Office of Child Care licenses daycares in Rhode Island. 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.