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Head Start and Early Head Start in Tennessee

343 centers in 157 cities and towns, run by 31 programs. 99 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 300offer 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 Tennessee

$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 Tennessee

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

Where to apply in Tennessee

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.

  • Porter-Leath

    64 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (901) 577-2500 ext. 1024

  • Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority, Inc.

    30 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (423) 587-4501 ext. 129

  • Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency

    27 centers · Head Start

    (423) 480-8037

  • South Central Human Resource Agency

    21 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (931) 433-7182 ext. 1182

  • Family Resource Agency, Inc.

    20 centers · Head Start

    (423) 479-9339

  • Livingston Byrdstown Jamestown & Cookeville Dev Corp

    20 centers · Head Start

    (931) 528-3361

  • Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council

    19 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (731) 364-3228

  • Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency

    18 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    No line reported

  • Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative

    16 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (423) 626-9270

  • Chattanooga YFD Head Start/EHS Program

    11 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (423) 643-6537

  • Anderson County Schools' Preschool

    10 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (865) 463-2833

  • Southwest Human Resource Agency

    9 centers · Head Start

    (731) 989-5111

  • Metropolitan Action Commission

    8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (615) 862-8860 ext. 70146

  • Sequatchie Valley Education Development Agency

    8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (423) 939-1005

  • SCUS Head Start Programs, Inc

    6 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (731) 251-6397

  • Tennessee State Univ.-TN CAREs Early Head Start

    6 centers · Early Head Start

    (615) 277-1660

  • Carter County Schools

    5 centers · Head Start · for Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency

    (423) 547-8311

  • Clarksville / Montgomery County CAA

    5 centers · Head Start

    (931) 896-1813

  • Community Action Service of Morgan County Head Start

    5 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (423) 346-6633

  • Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Commission

    5 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (865) 522-2193

  • Mid-East Community Action Agency

    5 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (865) 376-2308 ext. 1210

  • Porter-Leath-Early Head Start

    5 centers · Early Head Start

    (901) 577-2500 ext. 1150

  • Tennessee State University

    5 centers · Early Head Start

    (615) 277-1665

  • Johnson County Board of Education

    3 centers · Head Start · for Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency

    (423) 480-8037

  • Sequatchie Valley Educational Development Agency

    3 centers · Early Head Start

    (423) 939-1005

  • City of Chattanooga Head Start/Early Head Start

    2 centers · Early Head Start

    (423) 643-6537

  • Telamon Corporation - TN EHS - 2402X51

    2 centers · Early Head Start

    (865) 212-4011

  • Telamon Corporation - TN MSHS - 2402X67

    2 centers · Head Start

    (865) 212-4011

  • Family Resource Agency

    1 center · Early Head Start

    (423) 303-3536

  • Oak Ridge Schools' Preschool

    1 center · Head Start · for Anderson County Schools' Preschool

    (865) 425-9101

  • Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency

    1 center · Head Start

    (423) 881-5182

Centers in smaller towns in Tennessee

160 centers in 135 towns with fewer than 3 centers each, A to Z.

Alamo · 1

  • SCUS Crockett County Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 142 Conley Rd

    (731) 251-6477

Andersonville · 1

Ashland City · 1

  • Ashland City Head Start/ Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 104 Elizabeth St, # B

    (615) 742-1113

Athens · 1

Bean Station · 1

Big Rock · 1

Bluff City · 1

Bolivar · 1

Briceville · 1

Bristol · 1

Brownsville · 1

  • Haywood County Head Start

    Head Start · 2555 N Washington Ave, Ste 1

    (731) 989-5111

Bruceton · 1

  • Hollow Rock/Bruceton Pre K Head Start

    Head Start · 29590 Broad St

    (731) 418-4173

Byrdstown · 1

Camden · 2

Carthage · 1

Celina · 1

Centerville · 1

Charleston · 1

Chuckey · 1

Church Hill · 1

  • Carters Valley Head Start

    Head Start · 1006 N Central Ave

    (423) 480-8037

Clairfield · 1

  • Clairfield Head Start Center

    Head Start · 6366 Highway 90

    (423) 784-7700

Clarkrange · 1

Coalmont · 2

  • Altamont Head Start

    Early Head Start · 67 Community Center Rd

    (423) 403-7583

  • Altamont Head Start

    Head Start · 67 Community Center Rd

    (423) 403-7583

Corryton · 1

Cosby · 1

Covington · 1

  • SCUS Tipton County Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 410 Alston Ave

    (901) 810-3500

Crossville · 2

  • Crossville Head Start

    Head Start · 1831 E First St

    (931) 484-4114

  • Home Away From Home-Pinewood Head Start

    Head Start · 115 Pinewood Dr

    (931) 787-1012

Cumberland Gap · 1

  • Ellen Myers Head Start Center

    Head Start · 305 Nettleton Road

    (423) 869-4513

Cunningham · 1

Dandridge · 2

Dayton · 1

  • Dayton Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1655 Blythe Ferry Rd

    (423) 775-7723

Decatur · 1

Decaturville · 1

Dickson · 1

  • Dickson

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 119 W Broad St

    (615) 742-1113

Dresden · 2

Dunlap · 1

Dyersburg · 1

  • SCUS Dyersburg Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1400 Hornbrook St

    (731) 251-6395

Erin · 1

Erwin · 1

Fayetteville · 1

  • Lincoln County Early Head Start/Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 111 Shelbyville Hwy

    (931) 597-2095

Gainesboro · 1

  • Gainesboro Head Start

    Head Start · 745 S Grundy Quarles Hwy

    (931) 450-8250

Hampton · 1

  • Hampton Elementary School

    Head Start · 408 US-321 Scenic

    (423) 725-5220

Hartsville · 2

  • Hartsville EHS

    Early Head Start · 301 College St

    (615) 742-1113

  • Hartsville Head Start

    Head Start · 115 Lock Six Rd, Trousdale County Elementary

    (615) 742-1113

Heiskell · 1

Henderson · 1

Hendersonville · 1

  • Sumner PreK - Hendersonville Early Learning Center

    Head Start · 1336 Drakes Creek Rd

    (615) 742-1113

Hohenwald · 1

Humboldt · 2

Huntingdon · 1

Huntsville · 2

Iron City · 1

Jamestown · 1

Jefferson City · 1

Kingsport · 1

Kingston · 1

LA Follette · 2

  • Valley View Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1189 Old Middlesboro Hwy

    (423) 562-7090

  • West LaFollette Head Start Center

    Head Start · 210 E Beech St

    (423) 562-7335

Lafayette · 1

Lawrenceburg · 1

  • Lawrence Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 237 E Taylor St

    (931) 762-6039

Lebanon · 2

  • Cedarwood Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 103 Cedarwood Dr

    (615) 742-1113

  • Head Homes Head Start

    Head Start · No 1 Wheeler Street

    (615) 742-1113

Lenoir City · 1

  • Harrison Hills Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 4384 Harrison Rd

    (865) 988-5133

Lewisburg · 1

  • Marshall Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 820 2nd Ave N

    (931) 359-9691

Lexington · 1

Limestone · 1

  • West View Head Start

    Head Start · 2847 Old State Route 34

    (423) 480-8037

Linden · 1

  • Perry County Head Start

    Head Start · 2469 Squirrel Hollow Dr

    (931) 589-6368

Livingston · 1

Louisville · 1

Lynchburg · 1

Madisonville · 1

Manchester · 2

  • Coffee County Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 1206 Oakdale St

    (931) 954-0885

  • Manchester Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1200 Oakdale St

    (931) 728-7756

Martin · 1

Maryville · 2

Maynardville · 2

Mc Kenzie · 1

  • McKenzie Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 938 Walnut Ave W

    (731) 352-7170

McMinnville · 1

Middleton · 1

Milan · 1

Mohawk · 1

Monterey · 1

Mooresburg · 1

Moscow · 1

  • SCUS Fayette County Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 100 Thompson Dr

    (901) 810-3499

Mosheim · 1

Mount Pleasant · 1

  • Mt Pleasant Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 111 N Main St

    (931) 379-0158

Murfreesboro · 2

  • Murfreesboro Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 219 S Maney Ave

    (615) 742-1113

  • Wee Care Day Care

    Early Head Start · 510 S Hancock St

    (615) 890-4317

New Tazewell · 1

Newbern · 1

  • SCUS Newbern Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 212 Wheatley Drive Ext

    (731) 251-6391

Oak Ridge · 1

Oakdale · 1

Ocoee · 1

Oliver Springs · 1

  • Norwood Elementary

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 809 E Tri County Blvd

    (865) 435-2519

Oneida · 1

  • Burchfield Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1108 W 3rd Ave

    (423) 569-5022

Parrottsville · 1

Parsons · 1

Pikeville · 2

  • Bledsoe Head Start / Early Head Start

    Head Start · 2531 Main St

    (423) 403-7581

  • Bledsoe Head Start / Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 2531 Main St

    (423) 403-7581

Pioneer · 1

  • Elk Valley Head Start Center

    Head Start · 6693 Highway 297

    (423) 784-2193

Powell · 1

Pulaski · 2

  • Bodenham Head Start

    Head Start · 21142 Highway 64 W

    (931) 363-0448

  • Giles County Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 111 Victoria Pl

    (931) 363-5535

Puryear · 1

  • Harrelson Pre-K/Head Start

    Head Start · 143 Puryear Country Club Rd

    (731) 247-3152

Red Boiling Springs · 1

  • Red Boiling Springs Head Start

    Head Start · 521 Lafayette Rd

    (615) 257-6560

Ripley · 1

  • SCUS Lauderdale County Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 142 Nelson St

    (731) 251-6397

Roan Mountain · 1

Robbins · 1

  • Robbins Head Start Center

    Head Start · 359 School House Rd

    (423) 627-4647

Rock Island · 1

Rocky Top · 1

  • Lake City Elementary

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 402 Lindsay Ave

    (865) 426-2108

Rogersville · 1

Rutledge · 2

Savannah · 1

Selmer · 1

Shelbyville · 2

  • Bedford County Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 515 Rock St

    (931) 685-0876

  • Northside Head Start

    Head Start · 105 Northside Cir

    (931) 773-0141

Smithville · 1

Sneedville · 2

  • Hancock County Early Head Start Center

    Early Head Start · 398 Harrison Street

    (423) 733-1500

  • Sneedville Head Start

    Head Start · 216 Harrison St

    (423) 480-8037

Soddy Daisy · 1

  • Daisy

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 9531 W Ridge Trail Rd

    (423) 643-6460

South Pittsburg · 2

Sparta · 2

Speedwell · 1

  • Powell Valley Head Start Center

    Head Start · 245 Powell Valley School Ln

    (423) 869-0222

Spencer · 1

  • UCHRA Van Buren County Head Start

    Head Start · 24038 State Route 30

    (423) 881-5182

Springfield · 2

Sunbright · 1

Surgoinsville · 1

  • Surgoinsville Head Start

    Head Start · 3327 US-11W Scenic

    (423) 480-8037

Sweetwater · 1

Talbott · 1

  • Ray McElhaney Early Learning Center

    Early Head Start · 7222 W Andrew Johnson Hwy

    (423) 714-9610

Telford · 1

Tiptonville · 1

  • Lake Co. HS/EHS

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 327 College St

    (731) 253-8153

Tracy City · 2

  • Tracy City Head Start

    Head Start · 13764 US Highway 41

    (423) 403-7580

  • Tracy City Head Start

    Early Head Start · 13764 US Highway 41

    (423) 403-7580

Trenton · 2

Troy · 1

Tullahoma · 1

Union City · 1

  • Miles Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1015 E College St

    (731) 885-1533

Wartburg · 2

  • Community Action Services of Morgan Cty

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 105 Longview Dr

    (423) 346-6633

  • Wartburg Central Pre K

    Head Start · 1315 Knoxville Hwy

    (423) 346-6633

Waverly · 1

Waynesboro · 1

  • Wayne County Early Head Start & Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 905 Andrew Jackson Dr

    (931) 722-9413

White Pine · 1

Whitwell · 1

Winchester · 1

  • Winchester Head Start/Early Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 677 Myers Rd

    (931) 967-1543

Winfield · 1

Woodbury · 1

  • Woodbury Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 630 Lehman St

    (615) 742-1113

Head Start in nearby states

Help paying for child care

Other benefits in Tennessee

Having a baby in TennesseeBenefits, each with its source, checked October 2026Pregnancy MedicaidUp to 255% FPLWICYesPaid family leaveVoluntaryMedicaid pays for a doulaNoSee Tennessee