Care and education for 3-4 year-olds from low-income families
Head Start | NYC Department of Education (DOE)
1. How it Works
Head Start programs provide safe and positive environments for children age 3-4 to learn, play, and build the skills that get them ready for kindergarten and beyond. Programs also provide health, nutrition, and other services to children and their families.
Your child can begin a Head Start program at any time of the year if you qualify and there are open seats.
Programs are free and run year-round for at least eight hours a day.
Your child can get nutritious meals and health screenings.
Head Start programs also help parents and families achieve their own goals. These include employment, housing, adult education, and accessing health services.
Limited space is also available in Early Head Start programs, which serve pregnant mothers, infants, and toddlers.
Head Start programs are located in centers run by community organizations and non-profits.
Eligibility is based on your family’s income, housing situation, and/or if you get HRA cash assistance or SSI.
2. Determine your eligibility
Your family may qualify for Head Start if one or more of these apply to you:
You live in temporary housing
You receive HRA Cash Assistance
You receive SNAP
You receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
You’re enrolling a child who is in foster care
Your family income falls below the amounts below:
If your household size is 2, your yearly income must be at or below $20,440.
If your household size is 3, your yearly income must be at or below $25,820.
If your household size is 4, your yearly income must be at or below $31,200.
If your household size is 5, your yearly income must be at or below $36,580.
If your household size is 6, your yearly income must be at or below $41,960.
If your household size is 7, your yearly income must be at or below $47,340.
If your household size is 8, your yearly income must be at or below $52,720.
For each additional person, add $5,380 to the yearly income limit.
The best way to find out if your family is eligible for Head Start is to contact a program directly.
3. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply in person
To find and apply to a Head Start program:
Go to MySchools (3-k) or MySchools (Pre-K).
Click “More Filters”. Select the “Head Start” checkbox under “Year-Round 3-K / Pre-K Programs”.
Type in your home address to search for a program.
Contact a program that you’re interested in.