For Alabama Residents
Head Start for parents: enrolment and what's included
Age eligibility concepts, health screenings, transportation questions and family services.
Resource detail
Head Start and Early Head Start are free federal early-childhood programmes. Many Alabama Community Action Agencies run centres directly in the counties they serve.
Ages and options
- Early Head Start: pregnant people, infants and toddlers up to age three
- Head Start: children ages three to five, preparing for kindergarten
- Centre-based, home-based and family childcare options vary by agency
What is included
- Early learning aligned to school readiness goals
- Health, dental, hearing, vision and developmental screenings
- Meals and nutrition support
- Services for children with disabilities and individual support plans
- Family goal setting, parenting support and referrals
Enrolling
Enrolment is generally based on income eligibility, with automatic eligibility categories including families experiencing homelessness and children in foster care. Contact your local agency for the enrolment window, required documents and whether transportation is offered on your route.
Official sources and further reading
Source: Office of Head Start programme performance standards and agency enrolment information.
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