Head Start and Early Head Start in Ocala, FL
8 centers in Ocala (Marion County). 5 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 8 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 2 programs, which report 520 funded slots here. 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 Florida
$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 sizeCenters in Ocala
Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.
His Hands for Little Hearts Early Learning Center, LLC
Early Head StartHead Start1842 SE 11th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
(904) 726-1500RCMA La Guadalupana Child Development Center
Early Head StartHead StartMigrant and Seasonal11165 W Highway 40, Ocala, FL 34482
(352) 291-6015
Where to apply in Ocala
You apply to the program, not to one center. Each number here is the program's enrollment line: staff check whether you qualify, tell you which centers have room, and add you to the waiting list if they're full. Counts are centers in Ocala.
- (904) 726-1500
Episcopal Children's Services, Inc.
- (239) 658-3560 ext. 255
Redlands Christian Migrant Association
New to Head Start? Who qualifies, what it costs and how applying works
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 Florida
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5