Exceptional Early Learning and Family Support
The Y is a grantee for Head Start Preschool in Baltimore City. We are the only Head Start Preschool program in Baltimore City that provides a high quality, early childhood education to children ages 3-5, ensuring they are prepared to enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed, but we also provide a Y Family Membership at no extra cost!
A strong, thriving family unit is critical to the healthy development of children. We work with local communities to provide resources for family well-being, parental support and education, and other tools to help achieve family success, including:
- Health screenings for children
- Free services supporting education, nutrition, and mental health
- Parenting workshops, professional development, and volunteer opportunities
- Referral services for resources such as: WIC, Infants & Toddlers, Health Care Providers, Food Pantry, Employment, and Housing
- Parent leadership opportunities on Advisory Committees, Policy Council, and the Maryland Head Start Board
A Y family membership is automatically included with enrollment so families can stay active, build strength, enjoy healthy family fun, and connect with others at the Y! The membership continues annually at no cost, even during school holidays and summer months, provided you re-enroll in Y Head Start/Early Head Start each year.
Our program is accredited and licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education Excels Program and all children are welcome, including those with disabilities, in foster care, or are experiencing homelessness.
Y HEAD START PRESCHOOL
Y Head Start Preschool serves children ages 3-5 with an intentional focus to develop school readiness skills as recommended and measured by the Maryland State Department of Education. In fact, Y Head Start Preschool children routinely assess at or above state norms for school readiness.
We prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond using the Frog Street Curriculum. It reflects best practices in early childhood education, providing children with a solid, coherent and holistic foundation for learning.
- Children ages 3-5
- Monday-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm, September - June
- Nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, snack)
- Proven curriculum focused on school readiness: literacy, math, science, art, and more
- Small class sizes
- Highly qualified teachers
- Individualized and group learning experiences
- On-site IEP services for children with disabilities
- An environment that supports social-emotional learning, growth and development
- Modern classrooms with smart boards, touchscreen computers, interactive displays
- I Am Moving, I Am Learning (reinforces academic skills through music and movement)
- Must reside in Baltimore City to participate
ENROLL YOUR CHILD TODAY
Review our locations below to see if we serve your area. Complete the pre-registration application to determine eligibility for the program. If your child is eligible, a member of our team will contact you to complete the registration process.
| Belair Y Head Start Preschool 4605 Belair Road, 21206 | Dickey Hill Y Head Start Preschool (Dickey Hill Elementary/Middle School) 5025 Dickey Hill Road, 21207 |
| East Fayette Y Head Start Preschool 1116 E. Fayette Street, 21202 | Edmondson Y Head Start Preschool (Westside Skills Center) 4501 Edmondson Ave, 21229 |
| Elgin Y Head Start Preschool 2030 Elgin Avenue, 21217 | Sherman Y Early Childhood Center 900 E. 33rd Street, 21218 |
| Sherwood Y Head Start Preschool (Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School) 1235 Sherwood Avenue, 21239 | West Preston Y Head Start Preschool (The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary/Middle School) 507 W. Preston Street, 21201 |
You may also email us at tijuannahuggins@ymaryland.org to arrange a time to complete the application. Please be prepared with the following documents:
- Proof of age (birth certificate or legal document for child 3-5)
- Proof of Residency (current lease, phone bill, BGE, etc.)
- Proof of Income (W2, tax form 1040, 2 current consecutive check stubs, SSI, child support, etc.)
Y Head Start participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) program. See the CACFP non-discrimination statement.