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Head Start and Early Head Start in Iowa

205 centers in 123 cities and towns, run by 21 programs. 74 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 176offer 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 Iowa

$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

Head Start by city in Iowa

10 cities have 3 or more centers and a page of their own, most centers first.

Where to apply in Iowa

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.

  • Hawkeye Area Community Action Program

    26 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (319) 393-7811

  • Tri-County Child & Family Development Council, Inc.

    24 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (319) 235-0383 ext. 103

  • West Central Community Action

    19 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (712) 755-7537

  • Drake University Head Start

    15 centers · Head Start

    No line reported

  • New Opportunities, Incorporated

    11 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (712) 792-9266 ext. 401

  • Community Action Agency of Siouxland

    10 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (712) 274-1610

  • Southern Iowa Economic Development Association

    10 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (641) 682-8741 ext. 167

  • Community Action of Eastern Iowa

    9 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (563) 484-4531

  • Drake University Early Head Start

    9 centers · Early Head Start

    No line reported

  • Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation

    9 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (563) 387-4943

  • South Central Iowa Community Action Program

    9 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (641) 774-8133 ext. 223

  • Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc.

    8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (641) 752-7162

  • Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc.

    8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (712) 786-3425

  • Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc

    8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (712) 859-3885 ext. 1028

  • North Iowa Community Action Organization

    7 centers · Head Start

    (641) 494-1891 ext. 228

  • Your Own United Resources, Inc.

    6 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (515) 573-2453 ext. 202

  • MATURA Head Start

    5 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (641) 782-6201

  • Community Action of Southeast Iowa

    4 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (319) 753-0193

  • Des Moines Public Schools Head Start

    4 centers · Head Start · for Drake University Head Start

    (515) 242-8424

  • North Iowa Community Action Early Head Start

    3 centers · Early Head Start

    (641) 494-1891 ext. 228

  • FAMILY, Inc

    1 center · Early Head Start

    No line reported

Centers in smaller towns in Iowa

129 centers in 113 towns with fewer than 3 centers each, A to Z.

Albia · 1

Algona · 1

Ames · 2

  • Ames

    Head Start · 3012 Duff Ave

    (515) 271-1854

  • Story County Family Resource Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 230 SE 16th St

    (515) 956-3333

Anamosa · 1

  • HACAP Head Start - Anamosa

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 100 Park Ave

    (319) 462-4336

Ankeny · 2

Atlantic · 1

  • Atlantic Head Start Preschool

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 54233 Olive St

    (712) 243-4001

Audubon · 1

Bedford · 1

Bloomfield · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Davis Co. Center

    Head Start · 200 N East St

    (641) 664-3091

Boone · 1

Burlington · 1

  • Burlington Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 700 S Starr Ave

    (319) 753-0193

Carroll · 2

  • New Opportunities, Inc. Carroll Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 1617 E 10th St

    (712) 792-9266

  • New Opportunities, Inc., Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 23751 Highway 30

    (712) 775-7939

Carter Lake · 1

Center Point · 1

  • Center Point Urbana CSD - Pointer Pups

    Head Start · 101 Palo Rd

    (319) 849-1102

Centerville · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Appanoose Co. Center

    Head Start · 722 N 1st St

    (641) 856-6089

Chariton · 1

  • Chariton Early Childhood Center

    Head Start · 418 N Main St

    (641) 774-4723

Charles City · 1

  • Charles City Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 404 N Jackson St

    (641) 494-1891

Cherokee · 1

  • Cherokee County Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1006 N Roosevelt Ave

    (712) 225-5849

Clarinda · 1

Clarion · 1

  • Wright County Public Health

    Early Head Start · 115 1st St SE

    (515) 573-2453

Clarksville · 1

Clear Lake · 2

  • Clear Lake Head Start/Early Head Start

    Head Start · 1304 4th Ave S

    (641) 243-7571

  • Clear Lake Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 1304 4th Ave S

    (641) 243-7571

Clinton · 1

Coon Rapids · 1

Coralville · 1

  • HACAP Head Start - Coral Ridge

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 2441 10th St

    (319) 351-1214

Corning · 1

Corydon · 1

  • Corydon Early Childhood Center

    Head Start · 605 S West St

    (641) 872-2554

Cresco · 1

Creston · 1

  • Greater Connections Childcare Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1405 N Lincoln St

    (641) 782-8002

Dakota City · 1

  • Dakota City Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 401 Main St

    (515) 332-3193

Decorah · 1

Denison · 2

Douds · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Van Buren Co. Center Douds

    Head Start · 14574 Jefferson St

    (641) 936-4321

Dubuque · 2

  • HACAP Head Start - Engine House

    Head Start · 1805 Central Ave

    (563) 239-6850

  • HACAP Head Start - Marita Theisen

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1584 White St

    (563) 587-8830

Dunkerton · 1

Dyersville · 1

  • HACAP Head Start - Dyersville

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 750 5th St NW

    (563) 875-0217

Eagle Grove · 1

Eldon · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Wapello Co. Center Cardinal

    Head Start · 5414 Highway 16

    (641) 652-7532

Emmetsburg · 1

Estherville · 1

  • Emmet County Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 315 N 6th St, Na

    (712) 765-1058

Evansdale · 1

Fairfield · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Jefferson Co. Center

    Head Start · 2200 W Jefferson Ave

    (641) 472-6140

Farmington · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Van Buren Co. Center Harmony

    Head Start · 33727 Route J40

    (319) 592-3235

Forest City · 1

Fort Dodge · 2

Fort Madison · 1

  • Head Start of Ft. Madison

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1602 Avenue F, Ste 1

    (319) 372-4471

Grinnell · 1

  • Poweshiek County Family Services

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 611 4th Ave

    (641) 990-1086

Grundy Center · 1

Hampton · 1

Harlan · 2

  • Harlan Community School District

    Head Start · 2102 Durant St

    (712) 755-7537

  • Harlan Head/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 701 10th St

    (712) 755-7537

Hartley · 1

Hastings · 1

Humeston · 1

  • Mormon Trail Public School Collaboration with Head Start

    Head Start · 403 S Front St, Morman Trail School

    (641) 877-2521

Ida Grove · 1

  • Ida County Community Preschool

    Head Start · 481 Pin Oak Dr

    (712) 300-6057

Independence · 1

  • Independence Early Childhood Center

    Head Start · 1009 1st St W

    (319) 334-2086

Indianola · 1

  • Indianola Head Start Preschool

    Head Start · 307 W Ashland Ave

    (515) 271-1854

Iowa Falls · 1

  • Hardin County Family Resource Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 637 S Oak St

    (641) 640-8759

Jefferson · 1

  • Greene Co Head Start

    Head Start · 401 E Russell St, Jefferson Elementary

    (515) 386-3178

Jesup · 1

Keokuk · 1

  • Keokuk Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 220 S 22nd St

    (319) 524-6383

Knoxville · 1

Lake City · 1

Lamoni · 1

  • Lamoni Public School Collaboration with Head Start

    Head Start · 202 N Walnut St

    (641) 784-3342

Le Mars · 1

  • LeMars Head Start & Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 180 10th St SE, Ste 1

    (712) 546-6609

Lenox · 1

Leon · 2

  • Leon Central Decatur Collaboration with Head Start

    Head Start · 201 SE 6th St

    (641) 446-6521

  • Leon Early Head Start Center

    Early Head Start · 1601 NW Church St

    (641) 446-8050

Manchester · 1

  • HACAP Head Start - Manchester

    Head Start · 1001 Doctor St

    (563) 927-3515

Manly · 1

Mapleton · 1

Maquoketa · 1

  • HACAP Head Start - Maquoketa

    Head Start · 904 E Quarry St

    (563) 652-3814

Marion · 2

  • HACAP Head Start - Marion

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 5650 Kacena Ave

    (319) 447-5816

  • Marion Independent School District

    Head Start · 2900 8th Ave

    (319) 377-0183

Mason City · 2

  • Mason City Head Start

    Early Head Start · 811 N Kentucky Ave

    (319) 348-0708

  • Mason City Head Start

    Head Start · 811 N Kentucky Ave

    (319) 348-0708

Milford · 1

Mondamin · 1

Monona · 2

Mount Pleasant · 1

  • Glenwood Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 302 W Madison St

    (319) 201-1560

Murray · 1

  • Murray Public School Collaboration with Head Start

    Head Start · 216 Sherman St

    (641) 447-2517

Muscatine · 2

  • Muscatine Center

    Early Head Start · 148 Colorado St

    (563) 264-2026

  • Muskie Early Learning Center (Head Start Partnership Site)

    Head Start · 149 Colorado St

    (563) 263-4998

Nevada · 1

  • Nevada Head Start

    Head Start · 1037 8th St, Nevada Community Resource Center

    (641) 485-8246

New Hampton · 1

Newton · 1

Oelwein · 1

Onawa · 1

Orange City · 1

  • Orange City Preschool

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1103 Lincoln Cir SE

    (712) 737-3889

Osceola · 1

  • Osceola Early Childhood Center

    Head Start · 2500 College Dr

    (641) 342-1088

Oskaloosa · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Mahaska Co. Center

    Head Start · 1521 Green St

    (641) 676-1632

Ottumwa · 2

  • Sieda Child Development Center-Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 613 Indian Hills Dr, Bldg 16

    (641) 329-4332

  • Sieda Head Start- Wapello County-Presbyterian

    Head Start · 228 W 4th St

    (641) 329-4165

Panora · 1

  • Panorama Preschool

    Head Start · 401 Panther Dr, Panorama Community School

    (641) 755-2322

Perry · 1

  • North Dallas Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 2816 1st Ave, Crossroads Church

    (515) 465-5972

Postville · 1

Red Oak · 2

  • Red Oak Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1201 Highland Ave

    (712) 755-7537

  • Red Oak Pre-K

    Head Start · 400 W 2nd St, Red Oak Child Development Center

    (712) 623-8390

Rock Rapids · 1

  • Lyon County Head Start - Rock Rapids

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 302 S Lincoln St

    (712) 472-2153

Rock Valley · 1

Rockwell City · 1

  • SCC PreSchool - Rockwell City

    Head Start · 330 Brower St

    (712) 297-8621

Sac City · 1

Sheldon · 1

Shenandoah · 1

  • Early Head Start Home Based

    Early Head Start · 500 N Broad

    (712) 579-5339

Sibley · 1

Sigourney · 1

  • Sieda Head Start Keokuk Co. Center

    Head Start · 114 W Washington St

    (641) 622-9901

Sioux Center · 2

  • Sioux Center Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 1070 7th Ave NE

    (712) 722-2473

  • Sioux Center Head Start

    Head Start · 1124 7th Ave NE

    (712) 722-3157

Spencer · 1

  • Jefferson Early Childhood Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 411 E 10th St, Na

    (712) 264-8855

Storm Lake · 1

  • Buena Vista Early Childhood and Family Program/Gingerbread

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 525 Oates St, Na

    (712) 732-1358

Tama · 1

  • Tama County Family Resource Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 105 S State St

    (641) 481-2185

Troy Mills · 1

Vinton · 1

Washington · 1

  • HACAP Head Start - Orchard Hill

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 2175 Lexington Blvd, Bldg 1

    (319) 653-7275

Waukee · 1

  • Vince Meyer Learning Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 430 Ashworth Dr

    (515) 987-5160

Waukon · 1

Waverly · 1

Webster City · 1

  • Webster City Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1610 Collins St, Ste 3

    (515) 368-9193

West Liberty · 1

  • West Liberty Early Learning Center (Head Start Partnership Site)

    Head Start · 203 E 7th St

    (319) 627-5089

Williamsburg · 1

  • Williamsburg Community Child Care Center

    Head Start · 802 Franklin St

    (319) 668-9515

Winterset · 1

  • Winterset Head Start

    Head Start · 1726 N 1st St, 1726 N John Wayne Dr

    (515) 462-1208

Head Start in nearby states

Help paying for child care

Other benefits in Iowa

Having a baby in IowaBenefits, each with its source, checked October 2026Pregnancy MedicaidUp to 220% FPLWICYesPaid family leaveNoMedicaid pays for a doulaNoSee Iowa