Head Start is a free classroom program for 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families in Saratoga County. Our classrooms are state-licensed daycare centers. Our teachers have New York State certification.
Head Start
Why Choose Head Start
Children receive free breakfast and lunch daily
Children receive medical, dental, and developmental screenings
Families gain access to other LifeWorks programs and community resources
Parents and guardians receive support and access to adult education workshops
Parents and guardians make program decisions through the Head Start Policy Council
Parents and guardians have volunteer and employment opportunities through Head Start—in fact, 40% of our staff are former Head Start students or parents
What Do Head Start Kids Grow Up to Be?
When a child is ready to start school, they have a better chance of succeeding. That means a better chance of graduating high school and a better chance of going to college or trade school. So, Head Start kids grow up to be anything they want to be!
Learning and Development
Head Start helps kids build:
Social skills
Healthy emotions
Speaking and reading skills
Math and science knowledge
A relationship with their family’s culture and language
A smooth transition to kindergarten
Health
At Head Start, kids receive:
Indoor and outdoor learning opportunities
Help coping with the effects of trauma, as needed
Mental health support, as needed
Family Well-Being
Head Start gives parents and families help with programs for:
Housing stability
Strengthening parent-child relationships
Financial security
Continued education
Does My Child Qualify for Head Start?
Are you a pregnant woman or do you have an infant, toddler or preschooler? Is your total income less than the federal poverty level or do you receive Food Stamps? If you answered yes to both questions, your child qualifies for Head Start. So do:
All children in foster care
All homeless children
All children whose families get SNAP, TANF or SSI assistance
LifeWorks Serves Saratoga County
You must live in a school district we serve:
Ballston Spa
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Corinth
Mechanicville
Saratoga Springs
Shenendehowa
Schuylerville
South Glens Falls
Waterford-Halfmoon
What If We Don’t Qualify?
Brightside Up offers other options for early childhood education in the Capital Region.
Apply
Get started by filling out an initial application online.
A family advocate will be in touch soon to schedule an appointment to finish the application process. At that appointment, you will need to provide:
Proof of age (child’s birth certificate or other official document verifying the child’s birth date)
Proof of income (pay stubs, DHS budget sheet, Form 1040 tax return, 6 months of unemployment with W-2 or SSI statements)
Once enrolled, you will need to provide:
Child’s up-to-date immunization records
Physical exam (including lead and hematocrit) and dental exam records
Other requested supporting documents