Head Start in Washington
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
- 120
- towns
- 67
- towns have their own Head Start page
- 8
- of all Washington daycares
- 5%
Map of Washington: 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 Washington
- Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
- 97
- Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
- Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
- 80
- For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
- on the federal Head Start site list
- 113
- 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.
Washington
Largest towns for Head Start in Washington
Programs
Programs in Washington
Counts come from the state record and what each daycare says it offers. A daycare without a tag may still offer the program; ask.
| Program | Listed |
|---|---|
| All daycares | 2,500 |
| Take infants | 752 |
| Child care centers | 2,500 |
| Accept subsidy | 138 |
| In-home daycares | None listed |
| Christian & church daycares | 163 |
| Montessori schools | 184 |
| Preschools & pre-K | 1,678 |
| Early morning daycare | 338 |
| Part-time daycare | 160 |
| Drop-in daycare | 60 |
| After-school care | 2,218 |
| Bilingual daycare | 79 |
| Head Start | 120 |
The Washington state record
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families licenses daycares in Washington.
- 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
Before you enroll
Applying to Head Start in Washington
- 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.
Washington
Cost, inspections and ratios in Washington
A to Z
All 67 Washington towns with Head Start, A to Z
B7 towns
- Basin City1 center
- Bellevue1 center
- Bellingham5 centers
- Benton City1 center
- Bremerton3 centers
- Bridgeport1 center
- Burien2 centers
C7 towns
F1 town
- Federal Way2 centers
G4 towns
- Gig Harbor1 center
- Goldendale1 center
- Grandview1 center
- Granger1 center
H1 town
- Harrah1 center
M5 towns
- Mabton1 center
- Maple Falls1 center
- Mattawa1 center
- Moses Lake2 centers
- Mount Vernon2 centers
N1 town
- Newport1 center
P9 towns
- Pasco3 centers
- Peshastin1 center
- Port Angeles3 centers
- Port Orchard1 center
- Port Townsend1 center
- Poulsbo1 center
- Prosser1 center
- Pullman1 center
- Puyallup1 center
Q1 town
- Quincy1 center
R2 towns
- Renton1 center
- Royal City1 center
S7 towns
V1 town
- Vancouver10 centers
W5 towns
- Walla Walla2 centers
- Warden1 center
- Wenatchee2 centers
- White Salmon2 centers
- Winthrop1 center
Y1 town
- Yakima3 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 Washington
How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in Washington?
120 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 67 Washington 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 Washington town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?
Spokane, with 10 listed. Next are Vancouver (10) and Seattle (9).
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 Washington?
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families licenses daycares in Washington. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.