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Head Start and Early Head Start are part of the same federal early childhood system, but they generally serve children at different ages.
The simplest distinction is:
Both programs can provide much more than classroom care. Services may include early learning, health, nutrition, family support, and help connecting with community resources.
| Early Head Start | Head Start Preschool | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical ages | Birth to under 3 | Primarily ages 3 to school entry |
| Expectant families | Some programs | No |
| Early learning | Yes | Yes |
| Health and family services | Yes | Yes |
| Center-based options | Available in many communities | Common |
| Home-based options | Available through some programs | Available through some programs |
| Free to enrolled families | Yes | Yes |
| Apply locally | Yes | Yes |
Exact options vary by local program.
Early Head Start, often shortened to EHS, serves infants and toddlers younger than age 3 and their families.
Some Early Head Start programs also serve pregnant women or expectant families, depending on the program's funded design and community needs.
Early Head Start focuses on development during the earliest years, including:
Services may be center-based, home-based, family child care-based, or delivered through other approved program options.
Head Start Preschool primarily serves children ages 3 to school entry.
Programs support school readiness through early learning experiences while also addressing children's health and family well-being.
A Head Start Preschool child may participate in:
Head Start is not simply free daycare or a single national preschool curriculum.
It is a comprehensive program with local variation.
Head Start and Early Head Start use the same broad comprehensive-services philosophy.
Depending on a child's age and needs, families may receive support related to:
Programs plan experiences that support development and school readiness.
Programs work with families around preventive health care, screenings, follow-up, and access to ongoing care.
Programs support age-appropriate oral health care and healthy routines.
Children in center-based services may receive meals and snacks as part of the program.
Programs support children's emotional well-being and may use mental health consultation or community referrals.
Head Start programs have responsibilities for including and supporting children with disabilities.
Family services may help parents identify goals and connect with community resources.
Age is the biggest reason the experiences look different.
Infants and toddlers need:
Schedules need to respond to feeding, sleeping, diapering, and developmental needs.
Preschoolers may have more group routines and structured learning experiences while still learning heavily through play.
Activities may include:
Families should not assume that Early Head Start enrollment automatically guarantees a Head Start Preschool space.
As children approach age 3, programs work on transitions and may help families identify the next appropriate setting.
Eligibility may need to be re-verified when a child moves from Early Head Start into Head Start Preschool, subject to applicable rules.
Ask your local program about transition planning well before your child's third birthday.
Head Start and Early Head Start use federal eligibility requirements, including income and categorical eligibility provisions.
However, age requirements differ.
Early Head Start generally requires the enrolled child to be under age 3, while Head Start Preschool serves older preschool-age children.
Some expectant families can be served through Early Head Start programs that are funded to provide those services.
Programs may have more eligible applicants than spaces, so being eligible does not always mean immediate enrollment.
Yes. Head Start program services are provided without charge to enrolled families.
A program should not charge tuition for Head Start services.
Families may still have optional costs unrelated to enrollment in some circumstances, but families should ask the program directly if they have questions about any requested payment.
Choose based first on the child's age.
Look for an Early Head Start program that enrolls expectant families.
Not every Early Head Start program provides this option.
Contact Early Head Start.
Contact Head Start Preschool.
Age cutoffs and school-entry rules can vary locally, so contact the program if your child is near a transition age.
Head Start applications are handled locally.
Search for Head Start or Early Head Start centers and programs in your area.
Ask:
The program will explain what information is needed to determine eligibility.
If there is no immediate opening, ask whether your child can be placed on a waiting list and how the program contacts families when space becomes available.
Not every community has both Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start.
If your preferred service is unavailable, ask local programs about:
No. Early Head Start may provide center-based care, but it is a comprehensive federal early childhood program that also includes health and family services.
Early Head Start generally serves children younger than age 3. Children approaching age 3 should work with their program on transition planning.
Head Start Preschool serves children until school entry. Whether a 5-year-old can enroll depends on age, kindergarten eligibility, and the local program.
No. Some Early Head Start programs provide services to expectant families, but availability depends on local program design.
Eligibility generally needs to be addressed for the new program. Ask your local program about transition and re-verification requirements.