Head Start and Early Head Start in Buffalo, NY
25 centers in Buffalo (Erie County). 14 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 11 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 4 programs, which report 928 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 York
$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 Buffalo
Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.
Memorial Temple Early Head Start Academy
Early Head Start800 Sycamore St, Buffalo, NY 14212
(716) 894-0616Star Light Family Day Care Center
Early Head Start1328 E Delavan Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215
(716) 893-1747
Where to apply in Buffalo
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 Buffalo.
- (716) 881-5150 ext. 4318
Community Action Organization of Erie County Inc.
- (716) 881-5150 ext. 4358
CAO Head Start
- (716) 852-8373 ext. 224
Holy Cross Head Start, Inc
- (716) 881-5150 ext. 4358
Community Action Organization of WNY, 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 New York
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5