Enroll in Head Start Child Care

Since 1985, Start Early’s steadfast partnership with Head Start has provided quality early education and care to children and families across the Chicagoland area and suburbs.

Guided by our values of integrity, empowerment, transparency and innovation, the Early Learning Network holds all our Head Start agencies to the highest of standards and practices. We also center parent involvement and input, ensuring your insights directly shape program and policy strategies.

Overall, we serve families prenatally through age 5, ensuring you and your child(ren) have the supports you need to thrive during these critical developmental years.

Take Your Next Step

Apply today to start your enrollment process!

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Our continuum of care is the interconnected, coordinated early learning and care services, provided through our network agencies and Start Early’s owned-and-operated programs.

Through our prenatal-to-age-5 continuum of care, we can provide wraparound supports to you and your child(ren), while ensuring seamless services as you move or transition between programs.

Below is our full continuum of care, as well as the ages served for each service model:

• Prenatal doula care, all months of your pregnancy through 2-weeks post birth
• Home visiting, ages 0-3
• Local Family Child Care Homes, ages 0-3
• Head Start center-based care, ages 0-5

Looking for more information?

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to learn more.

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Our agencies provide comprehensive early learning and care services, rooted in evidence and cultural responsiveness. They also continually improve practices, so you feel supported and empowered every step of your child’s developmental journey. As a part of this approach, our agencies are committed to supporting you – the parent – as your child’s first teacher, so that you work together on developing goals for your child and family.

As a brief overview of what you can expect, our Head Start and Early Head Start agencies offer:

• Year-Round Programming
• Social and emotional learning: This type of learning helps children understand and manage their feelings. Using this learning approach creates a safe and caring environment that supports teamwork and social skills.
• Family support services: Our team members help families find medical and dental care, keep health records up to date, set parent-child goals, and provide other important resources and referrals.
• Diverse learner assistance and support: If your child has suspected or diagnosed disabilities or is a dual-language learner, and would benefit from additional services, we help you understand Early Intervention eligibility and coordinate services through your local school district.
• Leadership opportunities: Parents can get involved in leadership roles in our agency and network committees and councils.

Learn even more about our agencies by reviewing our current agencies and their service areas to help make your decision!

Jump to Agency List

Curious about the enrollment process, or what to expect when you enroll in a program that isn’t a Chicago Public School or Chicago Early Learning Program?

We’ve got that covered! Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to get even more details about the Early Learning Network.

Jump to Our FAQ