Head Start Programs
Learning starts at home. As a parent or guardian, you are the most important partner in your child’s education. We provide the resources to build a strong foundation for your child’s success. We also help you achieve the goals you have set for yourself, your child and your family.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are free for income-eligible families in Saratoga County.
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Early Head Start at Home
LifeWorks home visitors see pregnant women, infants and toddlers up to age 5 weekly, year-round, supporting parents in achieving their goals for themselves, their children and their family.
Families can also join group activities called PACTS (Parents and Children Together) twice a month.
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Head Start in Classrooms
LifeWorks offers preschool classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds that are NYS-licensed daycare centers and led by NYS-certified teachers. Children receive free breakfast and lunch daily.
Benefits for All
All children receive medical, dental, developmental and medical screenings.
Parents and guardians receive support, have access to adult education workshops and can receive referrals to community resources.
Parents and guardians have the opportunity to make program decisions through Policy Council.(Learn more about Policy Council below)
Parents and guardians have volunteer and employment opportunities through Head Start. Forty percent of staff are former Head Start students or parents.
What is Policy Council?
When Head Start began in 1965, its founders understood that parents are essential partners in educating young children. They felt parents should help decide how Head Start services can most benefit their family and other families in the community. Head Start created the Policy Council as a formal leadership and policy-making role for parents. Today, every Head Start and Early Head Start program must have a Policy Council as part of its leadership structure. Through the Policy Council, parents have a voice in decisions about how the program spends money, what children do in their classrooms, and how the program works with community partners.
Come see what Policy Council is all about!
You are invited to join us. Policy Council meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. - noon with lunch immediately following. Lunch is provided at no cost to participants and transportation and child care services with Head Start staff are provided upon request. A Zoom link can be provided to anyone unable to attend in person.
What Parents Are Saying
“My daughter loves her teacher and I feel like they love her too.”
“I appreciate the program so much. It has allowed me to work as a single parent and provide both my children with great early learning skills.”
“I can’t thank the Head Start program and the teachers/staff enough for all their support, not just to my daughter but to myself and her older brother as well. There were some big family changes this year and Head Start was there every day to help us ...”
Eligibility
Pregnant women, infants, toddlers and preschoolers are encouraged to apply if their total income is less than the federal poverty level. Click here for income limits.
Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are categorically eligible for Head Start and Early Head Start services regardless of income.
Families must reside in a school district we serve:
Ballston Spa
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Corinth
Mechanicville
Saratoga Springs
Shenendehowa
Schuylerville
South Glens Falls
Waterford-Halfmoon
Services vary by location. Click here to search for a Head Start program in another county.
If you don’t qualify for Head Start, you can search for other child care and early education options through Brightside Up, the Capital Region’s child care resource and referral agency.
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
