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Head Start

Head Start in Tennessee

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
316
towns
158
towns have their own Head Start page
19
of all Tennessee daycares
8%

Map of Tennessee: 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 Tennessee

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
292
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
87
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
294
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.

Tennessee

Largest towns for Head Start in Tennessee

Memphis56 centersCleveland14 centersChattanooga13 centersNashville11 centersGreeneville6 centersJohnson City6 centersKnoxville5 centersMorristown5 centersClarksville4 centersNewport4 centersParis4 centersClinton3 centers

Programs

Programs in Tennessee

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 daycares3,955
Take infants1,470
Child care centers3,527
Accept subsidy2,184
In-home daycares428
Christian & church daycares443
Montessori schools68
Preschools & pre-K2,962
Night daycare175
Early morning daycare1,405
Part-time daycare128
Drop-in daycare21
After-school care1,743
Bilingual daycare19
Head Start316

The Tennessee state record

Tennessee Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing licenses daycares in Tennessee.

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 Tennessee state records

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Tennessee

  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.

Tennessee

Cost, inspections and ratios in Tennessee

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

A to Z

All 158 Tennessee towns with Head Start, A to Z

A4 towns
B8 towns
C23 towns
D9 towns
E3 towns
F1 town
G3 towns
H11 towns
I1 town
J4 towns
K3 towns
L12 towns
M18 towns
N4 towns
O5 towns
P8 towns
R8 towns
S16 towns
T8 towns
U1 town
W8 towns

Nearby

Nearby states

North Carolina412 centersGeorgia291 centersKentucky278 centersArkansas236 centersMissouri207 centersMississippi177 centersAlabama175 centersVirginia166 centers

Questions

Questions about Head Start in Tennessee

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

316 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 158 Tennessee 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 Tennessee town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?

Memphis, with 56 listed. Next are Cleveland (14) and Chattanooga (13).

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 Tennessee?

Tennessee Department of Human Services, Child Care Licensing licenses daycares in Tennessee. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.