Head Start and Early Head Start in Mississippi

205 centers in 128 cities and towns, run by 17 programs. 114 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 174offer 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 Mississippi

$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 Mississippi

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

Gulfport8 centers
Hattiesburg7 centers
Jackson7 centers
Picayune5 centers
Greenville4 centers
Lexington4 centers
Biloxi3 centers
Brookhaven3 centers
Clarksdale3 centers
Drew3 centers
Fayette3 centers
Holly Springs3 centers
Indianola3 centers
Philadelphia3 centers
Southaven3 centers

Where to apply in Mississippi

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.

Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc.
37 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 923-4100 ext. 4121
Friends of Children of Mississippi, Inc.
27 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 321-0960
Institute of Community Services, Inc
27 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(662) 252-1582 ext. 136
Pearl River Valley Opportunity, Inc.
23 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 736-9564
Delta Health Alliance, Inc.
16 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(662) 686-7004
Five County Child Development Program, Inc.
11 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 792-5191
Mississippi State University
11 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
No line reported
Hinds County Project Head Start
10 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 923-1794
Washington County Opportunities, Inc.
9 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(662) 332-1521
Community Action of South Mississippi
8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(228) 769-3292
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
7 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 650-1680
Coahoma Opportunities, Inc.
5 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(662) 624-4887 ext. 233
Bolivar County Community Action Agency, Inc.
4 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(662) 846-1491 ext. 102
Picayune School District
4 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 799-4702 ext. 2703
Moore Community House, Inc.
2 centers · Early Head Start
(228) 436-0881
Picayune School District Early Head Start
2 centers · Early Head Start
(601) 799-4702 ext. 2703
Singing River Educational Association, INC
2 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start
(601) 947-8219

Centers in smaller towns in Mississippi

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

Aberdeen · 1

Aberdeen Head Start Center
Head Start · 813 Highway 145 N
(662) 369-1173

Ackerman · 1

Ackerman EHS Center
Early Head Start · 8460 Hwy 15 South
(662) 285-9031

Ashland · 1

Ashland Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 221 School Ave
(662) 224-0316

Avon · 1

Riverside Pre-K
Head Start · Hwy 1 South/Avon
(662) 335-4528

Batesville · 2

Batesville EHS
Early Head Start · 160 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
(662) 563-8166
Batesville Head Start Center
Head Start · 125 Martinez St
(662) 563-8166

Bay Springs · 1

Bay Springs Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 61 Commerce Dr
(601) 764-2013

Bay St Louis · 1

South Hancock Elementary
Head Start · 6590 Lakeshore Rd
(662) 325-3083

Belmont · 1

Belmont Center
Head Start · 1664 Washington St
(662) 454-7346

Belzoni · 2

Banks-Straughter and White Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 803 Martin Luther King Dr
(662) 247-4288
Riven Oaks Head Start Preschool Center
Head Start · 910 Church St
(662) 247-2206

Bogue Chitto · 1

LC-New Zion Head Start Center
Head Start · 2506 Highway 51 SE
(601) 792-5191

Booneville · 2

Booneville Center
Head Start · 200 East Bryant St
(662) 728-7127
Wheeler Head Start Center
Head Start · 588 County Road 5031
(662) 365-2018

Bude · 1

Franklin County Head Start Complex
Early Head Start and Head Start · 262 Pine St N
(601) 942-6771

Burnsville · 1

Burnsville Center
Head Start · 63 Municiple Park Rd
(662) 427-8883

Byhalia · 2

Erma Rogers Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 241 Fuller St
(662) 838-6290
Kids World
Head Start · 19 Chase St
(662) 838-2871

Byram · 1

Gertrude Ellis Head Start
Head Start · 7293 Gary Rd, N/a
(601) 371-1704

Calhoun City · 1

South Calhoun Center
Head Start · 125 Carter Dr
(662) 628-1431

Canton · 2

A.B. Devine, C.O. Chinn, W.E. Garrett Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 454 Trolio St
(601) 859-2720
Canton Early Head Start
Early Head Start · 375 Morgan Rd
(601) 859-0080

Carrollton · 1

Carroll County Blended Services (Marshall Partnership)
Head Start · 802 Marshall Rd
(662) 237-6840

Carthage · 2

Red Water Head Start and Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start (American Indian and Alaska Native) · 1931 N Pearl St
(601) 267-9261
Winson Dovie Hudson Head Start Preschool Center
Head Start · 1305 Highway 16 W
(601) 267-4205

Centreville · 1

Centreville Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 580 Highway 24 West
(601) 923-4100

Charleston · 2

Charleston Elementary School
Head Start · 412 E Chestnut St
(662) 647-2679
Eva Covington Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1181 Teasdale Rd
(662) 647-5232

Choctaw · 2

Pearl River Early Head Start
Early Head Start (American Indian and Alaska Native) · 521 N Oswald Rd
(601) 389-2899
Pearl River Head Start
Head Start (American Indian and Alaska Native) · 201 James Billie Rd
(601) 650-1719

Cleveland · 1

Elnora F. Littleton Head Start/Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 190 N Martin Luther King Dr
(662) 846-6864

Coldwater · 1

Clen Moore Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 110 W Central Ave
(662) 622-7496

Collins · 2

Collins
Head Start · 105 Sylvia Street
(601) 765-3386
Hopewell II
Head Start · 824 Hopewell Rd
(601) 765-1070

Columbia · 2

East Marion Center (Partnership)
Head Start · 527 E Marion School Rd
(601) 736-7290
John E. Hales Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 431 Old Highway 13 S
(601) 923-4100

Columbus · 1

Coleman Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 723 22nd St S
(662) 245-1570

Conehatta · 1

Conehatta Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start (American Indian and Alaska Native) · 127 Choctaw Circle Ext
(601) 775-8850

Corinth · 1

Corinith-Kendrick Center
Head Start · 700 Crater St
(662) 287-0317

Crenshaw · 1

Crenshaw Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 333 East South Avenue
(662) 382-7281

Crystal Springs · 2

Brushy Creek Head Start Preschool Center
Head Start · 617 N Jackson St
(601) 892-3826
Early Intervention Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 400 Harmony Rd
(601) 892-5991

De Kalb · 1

DeKalb Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 21 Willow Avenue
(601) 743-2607

Diberville · 1

Gilbert Mason Head Start
Head Start · 4221 Popps Ferry Rd
(228) 967-7240

Duck Hill · 1

Duck Hill Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 620 Carrollton St
(662) 731-4415

Durant · 2

Durant Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1865 E Magnolia St
(662) 639-2417
Holmes County Partnership I (Durant)
Head Start · 65 W Madison St
(662) 653-3176

Edwards · 1

Edwards Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 105 Williamson Avenue
(601) 852-4771

Eupora · 1

Eupora Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 333 MS-182 West
(662) 258-7583

Flora · 1

Dr. Marvin Hogan Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 4667 Highway 22
(601) 879-3469

Forest · 2

Forest Community Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 970 E First St
(601) 469-4757
Midway Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 5909 Midway Odom Rd
(601) 625-9700

Foxworth · 1

West Marion Center (Partnership)
Head Start · 20 Cedar St
(601) 731-2076

Friars Point · 1

Friars Point
Early Head Start and Head Start · 350 James A Shelby Drive
(662) 902-0755

Fulton · 2

Dorsey HS
Head Start · 100 Dorsey School Rd
(662) 686-7004
Fulton HS/ EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 608 E Elliott St
(662) 390-6960

Gautier · 2

Gautier Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1017 Highway 90, 1103 Hwy 90
(228) 471-1276
Martin Bluff Elementary
Head Start · 1306 Roys Rd
(228) 471-1276

Glendora · 1

West Tallahatchie Head Start Center
Head Start · 964 Sturdivant Road, 10968 Sturdivant Road
(662) 375-8396

Gloster · 1

Gloster Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 183 West Tate Street
(601) 923-4100

Greenwood · 1

Greenwood HS/EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 100 E Martin Luther King Jr Dr
(662) 455-0159

Grenada · 1

Grenada Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1102 Telegraph St
(662) 226-6852

Heidelberg · 1

Marjorie Porter Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1312 Academy Drive
(601) 787-4910

Hernando · 1

Hernando Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1290 W Oak Grove Rd
(662) 429-1517

Hickory Flat · 1

Hickory Flat Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 58 Meadowbrook Drive
(662) 333-1304

Hollandale · 2

Hollandale Pre-K T.R. Sanders
Head Start · 502 W Washington St
(662) 827-2024
Peace-Sanders Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 505 W Washington St
(662) 827-7477

Houston · 2

Mcintosh
Head Start · 450 3rd Ave
(662) 456-3871
Mcintosh-Lower Houston Elementary
Head Start · 123 S Starkville Rd
(662) 456-3323

Jonestown · 1

Jonestown
Head Start · 270 Matagorda Road
(662) 966-6227

Kosciusko · 2

Kosciusko Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 14139 Attala Hwy 12
(662) 289-7858
Kosciusko Center Blended Partnership
Head Start · 109 Veterans Memorial Dr
(662) 289-7858

Laurel · 2

King Star Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 1025 W 6th St
(601) 649-6503
Queen Olive Head Start Preschool Center
Head Start · 518 Madison St
(601) 649-1285

Leland · 2

Leland Pre-K
Head Start · 200 Milam St
(662) 686-5000
Page Moore Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1001 North Main Street
(662) 686-4301

Liberty · 1

Liberty Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 400 West Freedom Drive
(601) 923-4100

Louisville · 1

Winston County Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 200 Eiland Ave
(662) 773-2298

Lucedale · 2

Benndale
Early Head Start and Head Start · 5249 Highway 26 W
(601) 945-5343
Magnolia Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 15262 Highway 26 W, Ms 39452
(601) 947-8219

Lumberton · 1

Lumberton Head Start Center (Partnership)
Head Start · 600 5th Ave
(601) 923-4100

Macon · 1

Noxubee County Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 429 Piney Woods Road, 5260 Piney Woods Road
(662) 726-4336

Magee · 1

Magee Head Start
Head Start · 410 8th St NE
(601) 849-9105

Magnolia · 2

Magnolia Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1139 Reo Lane Rd
(601) 923-4100
Yale Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 9030 Ms-48 E
(601) 923-4100

Mantachie · 1

Mantachie HS/ EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 4091 Highway 371 N
(662) 561-5785

Mayersville · 1

Ripley Blackwell Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 28952 Hwy 14 W
(662) 873-4972

McComb · 2

Kennedy - McComb Center (Partnership)
Head Start · 207 N Myrtle St
(601) 684-2889
Westbrook Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 411 Saint Augustine Ave
(601) 923-4100

Meridian · 2

Charles L Young Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 2211 11th Ave
(601) 482-4655
Meridian Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 912 27th Ave
(601) 482-5211

Monticello · 1

Topeka
Head Start · 853 Highway 27
(601) 587-0074

Moorhead · 1

Little Angles Childcare Center
Early Head Start · 1012 Roy St
(662) 246-5328

Moss Point · 2

Jefferson Street Head Start
Head Start · 5343 Jefferson Ave, Ste 6
(228) 769-3316
Kreole Elementary
Head Start · 6312 Martin Luther King Blvd
(228) 381-5719

Mound Bayou · 1

BIlly J. McCain Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 5230 Highway 61
(662) 545-0369

Natchez · 1

Thompson Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1038B N Union St
(601) 923-4100

Newhebron · 1

New Hebron-A
Head Start · 120 Main Avenue
(601) 694-2698

Newton · 1

Crossroads Head Star Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 401 E Railroad St
(601) 683-3161

Ocean Springs · 1

Taconi Head Start
Head Start · 711 Magnolia Ave
(228) 295-7091

Oxford · 1

Mary Cathey Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 278 Highway 314
(662) 234-3230

Pascagoula · 2

Eastlawn Elementary
Head Start · 2611 Ingalls Ave
(228) 938-6431
Pascagoula Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 3301 Spruce St
(228) 471-1271

Pass Christian · 1

Doyle Moffett Center
Head Start · 6505 Kiln Delisle Rd
(228) 255-4225

Pearl · 1

St. James Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 214 Lonnie T Jenkins Dr
(601) 414-9715

Pelahatchie · 1

McCall Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 300 Kirby Avenue
(601) 854-8463

Petal · 1

Charles Johnson Head Start/Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 201 W Central Ave
(601) 602-2669

Pontotoc · 1

Pontotoc HS/ EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 179 Five Star Rd
(662) 390-3468

Poplarville · 2

Pearl River Community College Child Care
Early Head Start · 101 Highway 11 N
(601) 403-1248
Poplarville Head Start
Head Start · 205 E Locke St
(601) 795-8011

Port Gibson · 1

Richardson Center
Head Start · 411 Osage St
(601) 914-4150

Prentiss · 1

J. E. Johnson
Head Start · 150 J E Johnson Rd
(601) 792-4243

Quitman · 1

Manuel-Goff Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 207 E Chestnut St
(601) 776-6016

Richton · 2

Richton Center
Head Start · 1301 Ash Ave
(601) 788-5511
Union EHS-CCP Expansion
Early Head Start · 37765 Highway 63 N
(601) 989-2734

Ripley · 1

Prather Head Start
Head Start · 40 County Road 562
(662) 837-3269

Rosedale · 1

Rosedale Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 5001 Highway 1 S, Post Office Box 548
(662) 759-6801

Saucier · 1

Blanche Saucier Center
Head Start · 23160 Highway 49
(228) 832-0948

Shannon · 1

Shannon HS
Head Start · 695 Romie Hill Ave
(662) 686-7004

Shaw · 1

Shaw Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 516 Faison Street
(662) 754-3682

Starkville · 1

Oktibbeha County Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1617 Louisville St, Hwy 25 South
(662) 324-1508

Sumrall · 1

Clifton Preston Sr. Head Start Center
Head Start · 101 Center Ave
(601) 923-4100

Sunflower · 1

Sunflower Headstart/Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 225 E Claiborne St
(662) 569-7121

Tchula · 1

Tchula EHS Center
Early Head Start · 229 Mercer St
(662) 766-4055

Terry · 1

Eulander Kendrick Head Start
Early Head Start · 642 Morgan Dr
(601) 878-5232

Tunica · 1

Tunica Early Head Start Program
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1034 South Rd
(662) 363-3469

Tupelo · 1

Verona HS/ EHS
Early Head Start and Head Start · 125 Calloway Ave
(615) 390-6659

Tylertown · 1

Lexie Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1301 E Lexie Road
(601) 923-4100

Vaiden · 1

Vaiden Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 450 Court St
(662) 440-4057

Vancleave · 1

Vancleave Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 13105 Headstart Rd
(228) 471-1270

Vicksburg · 1

Vicksburg HS/EHS at the Kings Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 200 R L Chase Cir
(601) 738-5538

Walls · 1

Walls Head Start Center
Head Start · 6479 Third Street
(662) 781-2030

Walnut · 1

Chalybeate Head Start Center
Head Start · 141 Luna St
(662) 223-5522

Walnut Grove · 2

Standing Pine Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start (American Indian and Alaska Native) · 416 Arrowhead Rd
(601) 650-1754
Wonderful World Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start · 314 Phillips Cir
(601) 253-0080

Water Valley · 1

Water Valley Head Start
Head Start · 708 Railroad St
(662) 473-1552

Waynesboro · 1

Bryant Turner Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 215 Mississippi Dr
(601) 735-9844

Weir · 1

Weir Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 682 S Ann Street
(662) 845-4113

West Point · 2

Clay County Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 287 W Half Mile St
(662) 494-4985
East Side Elementary
Head Start · 1039 E Broad St
(662) 494-4691

Wiggins · 1

Stone County Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 167 Thelma Andrews Rd
(601) 923-4100

Woodville · 1

Woodville Head Start Center
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1833 Highway 24 West
(601) 923-4100

Yazoo City · 1

Yazoo City Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start
Early Head Start and Head Start · 1318 Grand Ave
(662) 716-7227

Head Start in nearby states

Help paying for child care

Other benefits in Mississippi

Having a baby in MississippiBenefits, each with its source, checked October 2026Pregnancy MedicaidUp to 199% FPLWICYesPaid family leaveNoMedicaid pays for a doulaNoSee Mississippi