Families and Kids
Head Start / Early Head Start Philadelphia
Verified · October 23, 2026 Deadline soon — check dates
Head Start provides no-cost full day/full year child care for eligible families and their children ages 3 to 5 at agencies in the local community; it prepares children to enter school ready to learn and provides information on health, nutrition, social development, and other services, plus nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks at no cost. Early Head Start provides no-cost full day/full year child care for eligible families and their children under the age of 3. The Philadelphia School District runs its own Head Start centers and also partners with private pre-kindergarten providers.
- Organization
- City of Philadelphia PHLpreK (routing to Head Start providers)
- Who qualifies
- Head Start: children between the ages of 3 and 5 who meet income guidelines. Early Head Start: children under the age of 3. Families experiencing homelessness or children in foster care are automatically eligible; families who receive SSI or TANF are also automatically eligible.
- Income limits
- Total annual family income must be 100% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for Head Start funding (the city page's dollar table is from 2018 and is not reproduced here).
- Documents needed
- Completed Head Start application; verification of the child's birth; verification of the family's total income; photo ID of parent/guardian; the child's immunization record and health assessment; child's IEP or CER if applicable.
- How to apply
- Contact a Head Start program directly to check eligibility and apply. Find programs via the PHLpreK quality child care map, the Head Start Locator, by calling 1-866-763-6481, or by calling the Office of Early Childhood Education at 215-400-4270 to request a registration packet by mail. For help locating and applying, call 844-PHL-PREK (844-745-7735). Children are entitled to Head Start funding regardless of immigration status.
- Cost
- Free
- Last verified
- October 23, 2026
Something out of date? Report a problem with this listing.
