Head Start and Early Head Start in Tacoma, WA
30 centers in Tacoma (Pierce County). 9 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 21 offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. You apply through 4 programs, which report 691 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 Washington
$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 Tacoma
Listed A to Z. A center may serve only some ages; the tags show which programs it runs.
Bright Beginnings at BrightSpark Early Learning Services
Early Head Start1501 Pacific Ave, Ste 305, Tacoma, WA 98402
(206) 471-8104Home Based - Downtown Tacoma EHS
Early Head Start1101 Yakima Ave, Tacoma, Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 571-1882Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center
Early Head Start2021 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 593-6641
Where to apply in Tacoma
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 Tacoma.
- (253) 571-2620
TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT #10 DBA Tacoma Public Schools
- (253) 778-7700
Puget Sound Educational Service District - EHS
- (425) 917-7700
Puget Sound Educational Service District - HS
- (206) 584-5198
BrightSpark Early Learning Services
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 Washington
- How much childcare costsCenter, home daycare and nanny prices
- WIC income limitsFood help for pregnancy and children under 5