Preparing Children and Families for Success

Y Head Start and Early Head Start in Anne Arundel County offers safe, effective, early learning programs that provide educational, health and family services to qualifying families - all at no cost to parents! Our goal is to ensure that every child ultimately enters school ready to learn. In fact, Y Head Start children routinely assess higher in school readiness than other assessed children across the state.

Children are enrolled based on a selection system that ranks families by need. All children are welcome, including those with disabilities, in foster care, or are experiencing homelessness. Y Head Start also participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) program. See the CACFP non-discrimination statement.

Our Programs

Y EARLY HEAD START

Y Early Head Start is a home-based program for expectant parents and children up to age 3.

• Full-day, 9am-3pm
• Year-round program
• Prenatal education and support for expectant families
• Promote learning through play, creative expression and guided activities
• A Family Development Specialists works with you in your home on a weekly basis to support you in your role as the primary educator of your child

Y HEAD START

Y Head Start is for children ages 3-5 and has an intentional focus to prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

• Children ages 3-5
• Full-day, 9am-3pm
• Monday-Friday, September - June
• Nutritious daily meals (breakfast, lunch & snack)
• Promote learning through play, creative expression and guided activities
• Curriculum-based program focused on school readiness by promoting early math, science, language, and literacy development
• On-site IEP services for children with disabilities
• Modern classrooms equipped with tablets, iStart Smart Computers, and TeachSmart Interactive Displays
• A nurturing environment led by highly qualified and experienced teachers who care about children

FAMILY SERVICES 

• Health: Each child’s social, emotional, and physical development is supported so they can fully explore and function in their environment. All children receive health and development screenings, oral health, and mental health support, if needed.
• Family Well-Being: Parents and families are supported in developing and achieving their own goals such as housing stability, continued education, employment, and financial security. 
• Healthy Living: All participating families receive a Y family membership at no extra cost while in the program. This gives your family access to all 11 Y family centers for exercise and water fitness classes, refreshing pools, rock walls, free family fun, and more!

 REGISTER NOW!

To get started, please complete the PRE-REGISTRATION APPLICATION to determine eligibility for the Head Start program. Once your pre-registration application is submitted, a Family Service Advocate or Family Development Specialist will reach out to you with more information.

Submit Pre-registration Application

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY LOCATIONS

The Y EARLY HEAD START home-based program is available in the following zip codes:

21403, 21405, 21409, 21012, 21240, 20765, 21056, 21060, 21061, 20776, 21032, 21113, 21122, 21140, 21226, 21076

The Y HEAD START program for ages 3-5 is available at the following locations: