Apply Now! Head Start

Head Start provides comprehensive educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional services for pregnant moms, children birth to five years old and their families. Children are provided with a variety of age-appropriate early childhood education/learning experiences. They participate in indoor and outdoor play and are encouraged to express their feelings. Meals are served to every child along with a snack when they arrive. Parent involvement is encouraged by parents volunteering in the classroom, attending local parent meetings at each center and making decisions regarding their child’s education. Families are provided with assistance and referrals to various agencies and resources that may be needed.

Early Head Start - Pregnant women and children birth to 2-years-old.

Head Start Preschool - Children must be 3-or 4-years-old on or before September 1st of the current year. 

Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start are early childhood programs primarily servicing low-income families. These programs are FREE for eligible families.  

The Head Start program accepts children with special needs. Children with disabilities, foster care children, and unhoused families who meet all other requirements are encouraged to apply. 

Yes, the family participating in the Head Start program can attend any Broward County Public School that offers the Head Start program and must live within Broward County.

Please note selection for a Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start program at a school does not guarantee placement for Kindergarten at the same school. If your child is selected or offered a seat in a Head Start/Early Head Start class that is not your boundary school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment for your child to attend Kindergarten at the same school. To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.

No, food from home is not necessary or permitted. Broward County Public Schools Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start programs adheres to the USDA nutritional guidelines and portion-size servings. We provide a FREE balanced, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack for your child. 

No, transportation services are not provided. Note: Bus passes may be available through the Broward County Transit Bus Pass Program. Please contact 954-357-8400 for information.

For application information including how to apply for our Broward County Public School Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start programs, please visit the Head Start application page.

You will need to provide proof of guardianship through court documents, adoption papers, temporary custody, relative care, or relevant legal documents stating that the child is temporarily in your care AND complete the notarized Affidavit of Person Acting as Parent form.

After all your documents are uploaded, you need to have an interview to complete your Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start application. If you did not have an interview, please contact our office at 754-321-1961 Option # 4 to obtain interview information.

After all your documents are uploaded and the interview is completed, your Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start application will be sent for processing. After the application is processed, you will receive an email regarding the status of Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start program eligibility after April 30th for applications taken from February - March of that program year. Completed applications taken after March can take up to six weeks to process. If you did not receive an email notification after this time frame and would like to check your application status, please Email our office or call 754-321-1961 Option # 4.

Head Start Preschool/Early Head Start application status emails will be sent to the email address presented at the time of application after April 30th for applications taken from February - March of that program year. Completed applications taken after March may take up to six weeks to process. If you did not receive an email notification after this time frame and would like to check your application status, please Email our office or call 754-321-1961 Option # 4.

Yes, if your child is on the waitlist, you must re-apply each year.

Your child will remain on the waitlist for the remainder of this school year. If your child is not selected for this school year, you must re-apply in February for the next school year.

No, if your child participated in a Head Start program at a school, it does NOT guarantee placement for kindergarten at the same school.

If your child is selected or offered a seat in an Early Head Start or Head Start Preschool program that is not your boundary home school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment in order for your child to attend kindergarten at the same school.

To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.