Last verified 2026-05-17. Head Start and Early Head Start are active federal programs in 2026. The President's FY2026 budget kept Head Start funded at level appropriations [Source: ffyf.org/policy-priorities/2026-early-head-start-head-start (accessed 2026-05-17)].
What you get — free
Head Start (ages 3–5) and Early Head Start (pregnancy through age 3) give your family, at no cost:
- Preschool or infant/toddler care with trained teachers
- Health, dental, vision, and developmental screenings
- Meals and snacks
- Help finding a doctor, housing, food, or jobs
- Services for kids with disabilities (every program accepts them)
- Prenatal support if you're pregnant (Early Head Start)
Who qualifies in 2026
You qualify if any one of these is true:
- Your household income is at or below the federal poverty line. For 2026 in California: family of 2 = $21,640, family of 3 = $27,320, family of 4 = $33,000, family of 5 = $38,680 [Source: aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines (accessed 2026-05-17)].
- You get TANF (CalWORKs), SSI, or SNAP (CalFresh).
- Your child is in foster care.
- Your family is homeless or doubled-up.
- You're pregnant (Early Head Start prenatal track).
Programs can also enroll some families over income — ask, don't assume you're out.
How to apply if you live in Nevada County or Grass Valley
KidZCommunity is the Head Start grantee for Nevada and Placer Counties.
- Call enrollment: 530-886-4122
- Mailing office: 130 Park Avenue, Grass Valley, CA 95945
- Website: kidzcommunity.org
Local Nevada County centers include:
- Silver Springs — 130 Park Ave, Grass Valley (Early Head Start, center-based)
- Little Friends Child Development Center — 10114 Granholm Lane, Nevada City (Early Head Start + Head Start Preschool)
- Grass Valley Little Learners — 225 South Auburn St, Grass Valley (Head Start Preschool)
- Our Kids Place — 10846 Gilmore Way, Grass Valley (Head Start Preschool)
- Plus family childcare homes across Penn Valley, Nevada City, and Grass Valley
[Source: kidzcommunity.org/find-a-center (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Bring these to apply
- Proof of income (paystubs, tax return, or benefit letter for TANF/SSI/SNAP)
- Child's birth certificate
- Immunization records
- Insurance card if you have one — not required to enroll
If you live elsewhere in California
Use the Head Start Center Locator at headstart.gov/center-locator, or call 1-866-763-6481 (toll-free, Mon–Fri, 5 a.m.–3 p.m. Pacific). They'll find the program closest to your home.
Common pitfalls
- Waitlists are real. Call now even if school is months away. Ask to be added to the waitlist if there's no immediate spot.
- Don't self-disqualify. If you're close to the income line, on any public assistance, pregnant, or unhoused — apply.
- You don't pay anything. If anyone asks for money to enroll, it's not Head Start.
Heads up for 2026
The federal Administration for Children & Families published a proposed rule in May 2026 that would loosen wage and benefit requirements for Head Start staff. The stated goal is to keep slots open without new funding; advocates warn it may lower staff pay. Enrollment and eligibility for families are unchanged. [Source: federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/12/2026-09383 (accessed 2026-05-17)]
A separate bill in Congress (HR 728, Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025) would let families on WIC, Section 8 housing, or FDPIR qualify automatically. Not law yet. [Source: congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/728 (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Sources
- headstart.gov/how-apply — official program page
- aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines — 2026 income limits
- kidzcommunity.org — Nevada/Placer County grantee
- 211ca.org — California 2-1-1, dial 211 for local referrals