Head Start and Early Head Start in District of Columbia
51 centers in 1 city or town, run by 9 programs. 44 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 11offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. It's free if you qualify.
Source: Office of Head Start service locations, as of October 2026. Each program reports its own sites, so call before you visit. Closed sites are left out.
Who qualifies in District of Columbia
$27,320a year or less for a family of three, or $33,000 for four. That's the 2026 federal poverty line, Head Start's income limit.
You also qualify at any income if you get TANF or SSI, your child is in foster care, or your family is homeless.
Sources: 45 CFR 1302.12; HHS poverty guidelines
Poverty guidelines for every family sizeHead Start by city in District of Columbia
One city has 3 or more centers and a page of its own, most centers first.
- Washington51 centers
Where to apply in District of Columbia
You apply to a program, not to one center. Each number here is the program's enrollment line: staff can tell you which of its centers have room and add you to a waiting list.
- (202) 238-4686
United Planning Organization
- No line reported
Office of the State Superintendent of Education
- (202) 698-1088
District of Columbia Public Schools
- (202) 741-8665
Educare DC
- (202) 842-9090
Bright Beginnings Inc
- (202) 462-3375 ext. 222
Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center, Inc.
- (301) 543-8040
CentroNia
- No line reported
Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA
- (202) 265-9885
Rosemount Center
Head Start in nearby states
Help paying for child care
- Child care assistance (subsidies) by stateWhen Head Start is full or your income is a little higher
- 2026 federal poverty guidelinesThe income table Head Start uses
- Child care cost by countyWhat daycare costs in District of Columbia
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5