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Head Start and Early Head Start in Winter Haven, FL

6 centers in Winter Haven (Polk County). None list Early Head Start, and 6 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 2 programs, which report 250 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 size

Centers in Winter Haven

Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.

  • Elbert Elementary

    Head Start

    205 15th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881

    Run by School Board of Polk County · 45 funded slots

    (863) 648-3051
  • Garner Elementary School

    Head Start

    2500 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881

    Run by School Board of Polk County · 30 funded slots

    (863) 965-5455
  • Inwood Elementary

    Head Start

    2200 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven, FL 33880

    Run by School Board of Polk County · 30 funded slots

    (863) 291-5369
  • RCMA Wahneta Child Development Center

    Head StartMigrant and Seasonal

    1920 Gerber Dairy Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33880

    Run by Redlands Christian Migrant Association · 52 funded slots

    (863) 295-5917
  • South Pointe Elementary

    Head Start

    9525 State Highway 653, Winter Haven, FL 33844

    Run by School Board of Polk County · 48 funded slots

    (863) 648-3051
  • Wahneta Elementary School

    Head Start

    205 4th Wahneta St E, Winter Haven, FL 33880

    Run by School Board of Polk County · 45 funded slots

    (863) 648-3051

Where to apply in Winter Haven

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 Winter Haven.

  • School Board of Polk County

    5 centers · Head Start

    (863) 648-3051
  • Redlands Christian Migrant Association

    1 center · Head Start

    (239) 658-3560 ext. 255

New to Head Start? Who qualifies, what it costs and how applying works