How to Understand Federal Guidelines for Head Start Preschool

Head start is a federally funded early childhood education program that helps prepare children from low-income families for the start of school, according to the Office of the Administration for Children and Families Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center. If your child is preschool age -- between 3 and 5 years old -- and you're looking for an affordable or no-cost early learning option, understanding the federal head start guidelines can help you find a program and enroll your child.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine whether your child meets the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines to receive head start services. Review the current yearly guidelines, as the specific income brackets may change due to variations in the economy. Read the guidelines for your family's size. For example, the 2013 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states are $15,510 for a family of two, $19,530 for a family of three, and $23,550 for a family of four.

    • 2

      Review the exceptions to the income rule. Homeless families or those who already receive public assistance from welfare programs are automatically eligible, as their incomes would fall below the poverty level.

    • 3

      Review the head start guidelines for preschool age. Federal guidelines state that children ages birth through 5 are eligible for early head start or head start services. Determine where your child fits on the age-graded service continuum to verify that he qualifies for the preschool end of the program, meaning that he is between 3 and 5 years old.

    • 4

      Apply for the head start program at your local community preschool, school or child care center. Ask the center if it receives head start funds or use the online head start locator from the head start government website. Provide the center or school with income verification documentation. Federal guidelines allow communities that receive head start funds to have their own criteria -- along with the federal poverty guidelines -- making it essential that you speak to your local center for their specific regulations or documentation requirements.

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