Head Start and Early Head Start in Newark, NJ
38 centers in Newark (Essex County). 19 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 29 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 7 programs, which report 2,477 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 New Jersey
$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 Newark
Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.
Ironbound Early Learning Center
Early Head StartHead Start1 New York Ave, Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 589-6873La Casa de Don Pedro - 221 Broad
Head Start221 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07104
La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Ctr IV
Early Head StartHead Start201 1st St, Newark, NJ 07107
(862) 237-9260La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Ctr V
Early Head StartHead Start87-89 St Francis Street, Newark, NJ 07105
(862) 237-9330La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Ctr VI
Early Head StartHead Start168 Roseville Ave, Newark, NJ 07107
(862) 237-9320La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Ctr VII
Head Start43-45 Elizabeth Ave, Newark, NJ 07108
La Casa de Don Pedro Early Childhood Ctr VIII
Early Head StartHead Start432-437 15th Street, Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 242-0696New Community:Community Hill Early Learning Center
Early Head Start85 Irvine Turner Blvd, Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 643-0300Sarah Ward Nursery - Lock Street
Early Head Start105 Lock St, Child Care Center, Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 645-0442Speedway Avenue Elementary
Head StartSpeedway Avenue Elementary, 701 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 973-2633The Leaguers Learning Academy Site II
Early Head Start200 S Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 643-0300
Where to apply in Newark
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 Newark.
- (973) 350-5747
The Newark Public Schools
- (973) 643-0300
The Leaguers Inc.
- No line reported
La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc.
- (973) 643-0300
The Leaguers
- (908) 686-6150 ext. 115
Union Township Community Action Organization Inc.
- (973) 926-3999
Clinton Hill Early Head Start
- (973) 589-6873
Ironbound Community Corporation
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 New Jersey
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5