Head Start and Early Head Start

Learn, Play, Socialize — Your Child Belongs Here!

Learning and play go hand in hand at Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford — where highly trained teachers develop skills through fun, inclusive, high-quality learning experiences. More than 35 independently operated early childhood programs throughout Chicago and suburban Cook County use proven Head Start and Early Start methods to provide free preschool and child care.

Enroll Now

Benefits

  • Prepare your child for success with an emphasis on social skills.
  • Build neighborhood connections with other families that have children age 0-5.
  • Support your child’s learning and development with highly trained and culturally informed teachers.
  • Support your family’s unique needs with flexible scheduling.
  • Trust in a safe environment where your child will thrive.
  • Free learning and care for 7 hours each day (up to 12 hours available per day).

Program Features

Early Head Start for Children 0-3

Center-based

  • High-quality play and learning instruction.
  • Licensed child care facility with small class sizes: 1 teacher to 4 toddlers.
  • Support for health and physical development, including pediatrician/dentist referrals.

Home-visiting

  • Weekly, in-home visits to strengthen relationships between child and parents/caregivers.
  • Support and coaching for expectant mothers and for families of children up to age 3
  • Support for health and physical development, including pediatrician/dentist referrals.

Head Start for Children 3-5

  • High-quality instruction that mirrors school curriculum.
  • Curriculum and care to develop academic and social/emotional skills, preparing children for kindergarten.
  • Specially trained teachers and staff support children with IEPs (Individualized Education plans) and children with disabilities.

Support is available to assist your family with:

  • Child care supplies (diapers, food, car seat)
  • Transportation
  • Employment
  • Stable housing
  • Financial literacy
  • Access to technology and more!

Eligibility

Head Start and Early Head Start eligibility is based on this criteria. Children do not have to meet all criteria to be eligible

For help determining if your family is eligible please complete the enrollment form below or call 708-330-4490

Age requirements

Early Head Start: Child must be younger than 3 at the time of enrollment.

Head Start: Child must be at least 3 and cannot be eligible for kindergarten at the time of enrollment.

Home-Visiting Early Head Start: Currently pregnant people and families with children ages 0-3.

Income (must meet ONE of the following criteria)

Family Income: Family income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines (for the previous 12 months or previous calendar year).

Public Assistance: Family is currently eligible for or receiving SNAP, TANF or SSI.

Homeless: Your child is experiencing homelessness or resides in foster care.

Over Income — If a child does not meet any of the above, enrollment is still possible. Up to 10% of the program’s funded enrollment may be children from families with income above the Head Start income guidelines.

Apply Here

Please complete this application to apply for Head Start or Early Head Start services through Easterseals serving Chicagoland and Rockford. Applications will be reviewed and you can expect to be contacted by Easterseals within 3 working days. If you need to speak with a staff member sooner or have an urgent matter, please call us at 708-330-4490.

Locations

  • Academy For Children2350 Bernice Rd, Lansing, IL 60438+1 708-418-9999
  • Academy For Children II19131 Burnham Ave, Lansing, IL 60438+1 708-394-3337
  • Cuddle Care150 W 137th St, Riverdale, IL 60827+1 708-849-8875
  • Easterseals Hickory Hills Head Start Center8020 W 87th St, Hickory Hills, IL 60457
  • Grandma Jones Daycare777 Sibley Blvd, Calumet City, IL 60409+1 708-862-0366
  • Grandma Jones Daycare Three1810 Sibley Blvd, Calumet City, IL 60409+1 708-730-9467
  • Learning Tree Child Care Center LLC950 Burnham Ave, Calumet City, IL 60409+1 708-868-2223
  • Kiddy Kulture Childcare396 E 159th St, Harvey, IL 60426+1 708-331-4300
  • Kids Tech Discovery Center14224 S Indiana Ave, Riverdale, IL 60827+1 708-201-7300
  • Mother Goose Children's Academy Inc4112 183rd St, Country Club Hills, IL 60478+1 708-647-9140
  • Nurturing Developmental & Learning Academy II835 Sibley Blvd, Calumet City, IL 60409+1 708-333-1355
  • Nurturing Development & Learning525 Wentworth Ave, Calumet City, IL 60409+1 708-868-5343
  • Safari Life Child Care & Learning1935 Glenwood Dyer Rd, Lynwood, IL 60411+1 708-833-7040
  • Shelby Scholars Daycare3308 W 137th St, Robbins, IL 60472+1 708-371-8431
  • 330 Eastern Ave330 Eastern Ave, Bellwood, IL 60104
  • Happy Days Daycare of Berwyn6304 W 26th St, Berwyn, IL 60402+1 708-795-0099
  • Happy Days Daycare of Cicero5721 W 35th St, Cicero, IL 60804+1 708-652-3577
  • Little Achievers Child Care539 Bellwood Ave, Bellwood, IL 60104+1 708-544-6302
  • Plcca/Maywood Child Development1100 Madison St, Maywood, IL 60153+1 708-865-0605
  • A-Karrasel Child Care5504 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639+1 773-637-1022
  • Busy Bees Learning School321 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616+1 312-837-3511
  • Busy Bees Child Development Center3149 S Shields Ave #3155, Chicago, IL 60616+1 312-326-0200
  • Busy Bees Child Development Center II2351B S Wentworth Ave 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60616+1 312-888-3167
  • Children International Academy5858 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60644+1 773-287-0808
  • Fifth CityFifth City, Chicago, IL
  • First Start Academy South Inc5700 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60636+1 773-778-4850
  • Easterseals Gilchrist Marchman Child Development Center1312 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608+1 312-492-7402
  • Mother's Touch Daycare2501 W 71st St, Chicago, IL 60629+1 773-436-3177
  • Sweet Pea Academy1412 W 87th St, Chicago, IL 60620+1 773-239-2322
  • Wee Care Nursery School Inc1845 E 79th St, Chicago, IL 60649+1 773-221-4442
  • Cuddle Care Academy4800 S Lake Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60615+1 773-285-1114
  • A-Illinois Institute-Children10009 S Yates Blvd, Chicago, IL 60617+1 773-375-8850
  • The Baby Academy/aka JPE8607 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60619+1 773-994-4400
  • Brainbox Literacy Academy9304 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60620+1 773-980-1234
  • Brainbox Learning Academy2519 W 79th St, Chicago, IL 60652+1 773-925-8060
  • Kids R First Learning Center7538 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60620+1 773-488-9443
  • New Pisgah Haven Homes8005 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60620+1 773-224-8650
  • Chinese American Service League2141 S Tan Ct, Chicago, IL 60616+1 312-791-0418
  • Breakthrough FamilyPlex3219 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60624+1 872-444-8200
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