Head Start & Early Head Start

Overview

Head Start is a federal program that delivers comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to families with children ages 3 through 5 who are experiencing poverty.

Serving over 37 million children, decades of research shows that participation in Head Start has both short- and long-term positive effects. Children who attend Head Start demonstrate marked academic and social progress, and are more likely to enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Early Head Start is a federally funded program that provides intensive, comprehensive child development and family support services to infants and toddlers under age 3, pregnant women, and their families experiencing poverty.

The program promotes children’s development and supports parents in their role as children’s first teachers and primary caregivers through a variety of services, including home visiting; parent engagement and support; high-quality child care; and nutrition, health, and behavioral health services.

Current Funding Level: Head Start and Early Head Start are funded at $12.27 billion (one appropriation for both programs) for FY2024, an increase of $275 million over FY2023.