Important Information

Program Overview

  • Early Head Start

    Three babies playing with blocks 

    Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged families with infants, toddlers, and pregnant women.  Early Head Start is a parent-participation program that offers comprehensive early childhood services to expectant mothers and children, from birth to two years old, at no cost to eligible families.

    Early Head Start is a needs-based program and the district follows federal guidelines for admission into the program. Children with documented disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply. Transportation is not provided. Completing an application and a face-to-face interview does NOT guarantee selection into the program.   

    Face-to-face interviews are required in order to complete the application process. Eligibility and selection are based on family needs and income.  Space is limited.

    Read more about VPK

    Head Start Preschool

    Toddlers with musical instruments

    The Early Childhood Department administers the District’s Head Start (HS) Preschool Program, a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged children and families. Head Start is a parent-participation program that offers comprehensive preschool services to children three to five years old, at no cost to eligible families. 

    Head Start Preschool is a needs-based program and the district follows federal guidelines for admission into the program. Children with documented disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply. Transportation is not provided. Completing an application and a face-to-face interview does NOT guarantee selection into the program. 

    Face-to-face interviews are required in order to complete the application process. Eligibility and selection are based on family needs and income.  Space is limited.  

    Read more about VPK

Contact Information

  • Early Childhood Education

    600 SE Third Avenue

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

    Phone: 754-321-1961

    Fax: --

    TTL: --

    Phone: --

    Sharonda Bailey

    Director

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    • What is Head Start/Early Head Start?

      Head Start provides comprehensive educational, emotional, social, health, and nutritional services for pregnant moms, children birth to 5 years old and their families. Children are provided with a variety of age-appropriate early childhood education/learning experiences. They participate in indoor and outdoor play and are encouraged to express their feelings. Meals are served to every child along with a snack when they arrive. Parent involvement is encouraged by parents volunteering in the classroom, attending local parent meetings at each center and making decisions regarding their child’s education. Families are provided with assistance and referrals to various agencies and resources that may be needed.

    • How old does my child have to be to apply for a Head Start/Early Head Start program?

      Early Head Start - Pregnant women and children birth to 2-years-old.

      Head Start children must be 3-or 4-years-old on or before September 1st of the current year. 

    • How much does it cost to enroll in a Head Start program?

      Head Start and Early Head Start are preschool programs primarily servicing low-income families. These programs are FREE for eligible families. 

    • Will my child be able to apply if he/she has a special need?

      Head Start accepts children with special needs. Children with disabilities, foster care children, and homeless families who meet all other requirements, are encouraged to apply.

    • Can my child attend any school in Broward County?

      Yes, the family participating in the Head Start Program in Broward County can attend any BCPS that offers the Head Start program and must live within Broward County.

      Please note selection for a Head Start/Early Head Start program at a school does not guarantee placement for Kindergarten at the same school. If your child is selected or offered a seat in a Head Start/Early Head Start class that is not your boundary school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment in order for your child to attend Kindergarten at the same school. To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.

    • Can I bring food from home for my child?

      No, food from home is not necessary or permitted. The BCPS Head Start/Early Head Start Program adheres to the USDA nutritional guidelines and portion-size servings. We provide a FREE balanced, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack for your child. 

    • Will the Head Start program provide transportation?

      No, transportation services are not provided. Note: Bus passes may be available through the Broward County Transit Bus Pass Program. Please contact 954-357-8400 for information.

    • How do I apply for Head Start/Early Head Start?

      For application information including how to apply for our BCPS Head Start/Early Head Start program, please visit the Head Start application page.

    • What documents are required if the child’s biological parents are not in the household?

      You will need to provide proof of guardianship through court documents, adoption papers, temporary custody, relative care, or relevant legal documents stating that the child is temporarily in your care AND complete the notarized Affidavit of Person Acting as Parent form.

    • I completed the pre-application, what is the next step?

      All applicants must submit the required documents and complete an in-person interview. Please contact 754-321-1961 or email headstart@browardschools.com to obtain your document upload link and for additional information regarding an in-person interview. 

    • I completed the in-person interview, what is the next step?

      After all your documents are uploaded and the interview is completed, your Head Start/Early Head Start application will be sent for processing. After the application is processed, you will receive an email regarding the status of Head Start/Early Head Start program eligibility after April 30th for applications taken from February - March of that program year. Completed applications taken after March can take up to six weeks to process. If you did not receive an email notification after this time frame and would like to check your application status, please contact the office Head Start or 754-321-1961.

    • When will I find out my Head Start application status?

      Head Start & Early Head Start application status emails will be sent to the email address presented at the time of application after April 30th for applications taken from February - March of that program year. Completed applications taken after March can take up to six weeks to process. If you did not receive an email notification after this time frame and would like to check your application status, please contact the Head Start office email or call 754-321-1961.

    • My child is on the waitlist, do I have to re-apply?

      Yes, if your child is on the waitlist, you must re-apply each year.

    • How long will my child be on the waitlist?

      Your child will remain on the waitlist for the remainder of this school year. If your child is not selected for this school year, you must re-apply in February for the next school year.

    • Important Information about Entering Kindergarten after Head Start/Early Head Start and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)   

      Selection for a Head Start/Early Head Start & VPK/Enrichment program at a school does not guarantee placement for Kindergarten at the same school. If your child is selected or offered a seat in a Head Start/Early Head Start & VPK/Enrichment class that is not your boundary school, you must apply for and receive a reassignment in order for your child to attend Kindergarten at the same school. To learn about the reassignment process, please visit the School Choice website.  

    • The website is supported by Grant# 04CH011046 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of The School Board of Broward County and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.