Head Start and Early Head Start in Providence, RI
11 centers in Providence. 10 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 8 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 2 programs, which report 659 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 Rhode Island
$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 Providence
Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.
Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Center
Early Head Start700 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907
(401) 785-8485Children's Friend - Berkshire Center
Early Head StartHead Start99 Berkshire St, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 752-7500Children's Friend - Carter Street
Early Head StartHead Start12 Carter St, Providence, RI 02907
(401) 721-6450Children's Friend - Friendship Center
Early Head StartHead Start350 Point St, Providence, RI 02903
(401) 752-7600Children's Friend - Hartford Avenue
Early Head StartHead Start550 Hartford Ave, Providence, RI 02909
(401) 752-7950Children's Friend-Dorcas International
Early Head StartHead Start220 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907
(401) 276-4300Children's Friend-King Street
Early Head StartHead Start72 King St, Providence, RI 02909
(401) 276-4300Genesis Child Development & Learning Center
Early Head Start620 Potters Ave, Providence, RI 02907
(401) 781-6110
Where to apply in Providence
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 Providence.
- (401) 276-4300
Children's Friend and Service
- No line reported
Meeting Street
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 Rhode Island
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5