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Head Start and Early Head Start in Dorchester, MA

3 centers in Dorchester (Suffolk County). 3 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 3 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through one local program, which report 445 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 Massachusetts

$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 Dorchester

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

  • Bradshaw Head Start & Children's Services

    Early Head StartHead Start

    64 Bradshaw St, Dorchester, MA 02121

    Run by Action for Boston Community Development · 68 funded slots

    (617) 282-2327
    CallDirections

  • Dorchester Head Start & Children's Services

    Early Head StartHead Start

    198 Geneva Ave, Dorchester, MA 02121

    Run by Action for Boston Community Development · 276 funded slots

    (617) 929-6200
    CallDirections

  • Walnut Grove Head Start & Children's Services

    Early Head StartHead Start

    22 Elm Hill Ave, Dorchester, MA 02121

    Run by Action for Boston Community Development · 101 funded slots

    (617) 445-8202
    CallDirections

Where to apply in Dorchester

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 Dorchester.

  • Action for Boston Community Development

    3 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (617) 348-6388

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

Help paying for child care

Other benefits in Massachusetts

Having a baby in MassachusettsBenefits, each with its source, checked October 2026Pregnancy MedicaidUp to 205% FPLWICYesPaid family leaveYesMedicaid pays for a doulaYesSee Massachusetts