Head Start in West Virginia
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
- 80
- towns
- 64
- towns have their own Head Start page
- 2
- of all West Virginia daycares
- 7%
Map of West Virginia: 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 West Virginia
- Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
- 70
- Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
- Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
- 16
- For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
- on the federal Head Start site list
- 12
- 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.
West Virginia
Largest towns for Head Start in West Virginia
Programs
Programs in West Virginia
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 | 1,183 |
| Take infants | 20 |
| Child care centers | 482 |
| Accept subsidy | 9 |
| In-home daycares | 701 |
| Christian & church daycares | 35 |
| Montessori schools | 7 |
| Preschools & pre-K | 57 |
| Early morning daycare | 58 |
| Part-time daycare | 13 |
| After-school care | 82 |
| Head Start | 80 |
The West Virginia state record
West Virginia Department of Human Services, Division of Early Care and Education licenses daycares in West Virginia.
- License list
- The state's public list of licensed child care
- Ages served
- On some licenses only; elsewhere shown where the daycare gives them
- Inspections
- On the state's own site; each listing links to it
Before you enroll
Applying to Head Start in West Virginia
- 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.
West Virginia
Cost, inspections and ratios in West Virginia
A to Z
All 64 West Virginia towns with Head Start, A to Z
B6 towns
- Baileysville1 center
- Beckley1 center
- Berkeley Springs2 centers
- Bluefield2 centers
- Brenton1 center
- Buckhannon1 center
C3 towns
- Charleston2 centers
- Clarksburg2 centers
- Clearfork1 center
D1 town
- Delbarton1 center
F4 towns
- Fairdale1 center
- Fairmont4 centers
- Farmington1 center
- Follansbee1 center
G4 towns
- Gilbert1 center
- Glen Fork1 center
- Grafton2 centers
- Great Cacapon1 center
H5 towns
- Hanover1 center
- Harts1 center
- Hedgesville1 center
- Hinton1 center
- Huntington3 centers
I1 town
- Inwood1 center
M7 towns
- Maben1 center
- Martinsburg2 centers
- Matewan2 centers
- Matheny1 center
- Moorefield1 center
- Moundsville1 center
- Mt Lookout1 center
N2 towns
- Nettie1 center
- New Richmond1 center
P7 towns
- Paden City2 centers
- Parkersburg1 center
- Pecks Mill1 center
- Petersburg1 center
- Philippi1 center
- Pineville1 center
- Princeton2 centers
R3 towns
- Ripley1 center
- Rivesville1 center
- Romney1 center
S5 towns
- Saulsville1 center
- Scarbro1 center
- Shenandoah Junction1 center
- Shinnston1 center
- Sophia1 center
W7 towns
- War1 center
- Weirton2 centers
- Wellsburg1 center
- West Milford1 center
- Weston1 center
- Wharncliffe1 center
- Williamson2 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 West Virginia
How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in West Virginia?
80 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in 64 West Virginia 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 West Virginia town has the most Head Start and Early Head Start centers?
Fairmont, with 4 listed. Next are Huntington (3) and Berkeley Springs (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 West Virginia?
West Virginia Department of Human Services, Division of Early Care and Education licenses daycares in West Virginia. It publishes inspections on its own site; use the state search linked on this page.