Head Start and Early Head Start in Memphis, TN
66 centers in Memphis (Shelby County). 14 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 59 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 2 programs, which report 3,396 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 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 sizeCenters in Memphis
Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.
American Way Early Childhood
Early Head StartHead Start4207 American Way, Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 795-7544Early Childhood Academy at Frayser
Early Head StartHead Start3060 Baskin St, Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 505-0418Future Leaders Learning Center- University
Head Start3428 University St, Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 577-2500Hooks Dimmick Child Care Center
Early Head StartHead Start4982 Knight Arnold Rd, Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 367-2912Memphis Business Academy Hickory Hill
Head Start4443 S Germantown Rd, Memphis, TN 38125
(901) 577-2500Memphis Performing Arts & Creative Academy
Head Start6120 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 577-2500Porter-Leath & University of Memphis Orange Mound
Early Head StartHead Start2869 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38114
(901) 505-0168Porter-Leath Covington Pike Head Start
Head Start5025 English Towne Dr, Memphis, TN 38128
(901) 577-2500Porter-Leath Early Childhood Academy South City
Head Start570 E Georgia Ave, Memphis, TN 38126
(901) 577-2500Porter-Leath Early Childhood Academy South Memphis
Early Head Start628 Alice Ave, Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 505-0230Porter-Leath Early Childhood Academy South Memphis
Head Start628 Alice Ave, Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 577-2500Porter-Leath Freedom Preparatory Academy Pre-K Westwood
Head Start778 Parkrose Ave, Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 577-2500Porter-Leath Head Start Rangeline
Early Head StartHead Start3274 Range Line Rd, Memphis, TN 38127
(901) 560-9617South Parkway East Kiddie Learning Center
Early Head Start931 S Parkway E, Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 774-3511Southwest Community College-Union Campus
Early Head Start737 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 333-5000
Where to apply in Memphis
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 Memphis.
- (901) 577-2500 ext. 1024
Porter-Leath
- (901) 577-2500 ext. 1150
Porter-Leath-Early Head Start
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 Tennessee
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5