Head Start and Early Head Start in Kansas City, MO
13 centers in Kansas City (Jackson County). 8 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 10 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 3 programs, which report 1,539 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 Missouri
$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 Kansas City
Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.
Central High School Early Head Start
Early Head Start3221 Indiana Ave, Kansas City, MO 64128
(816) 418-2088EarlyStart St Mark Center
Early Head StartHead Start2008 E 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64127
(816) 994-5400Emmanuel Family & Child Development
Early Head StartHead Start4736 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, MO 64130
(816) 921-3164Guadalupe Center at Thomas Roque
Early Head StartHead Start3800 E 51st St, Kansas City, MO 64130
(816) 949-9010Operation Breakthrough at De La Salle
Early Head Start3737 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64109
(816) 756-3511Operation Breakthrough, Inc.
Early Head StartHead Start3039 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64109
(816) 756-3511
Where to apply in Kansas City
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 Kansas City.
- (816) 841-3382
Mid America Regional Council
- (816) 418-5304
Kansas City Public Schools
- No line reported
Operation Breakthrough, Inc.
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 Missouri
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5