Head Start & Early Head Start

Now Enrolling: Home-based Early Head Start (ages 0-3) program for families in Gaithersburg, MD. Use the application links below.

Early Head Start: Infants and Toddlers (6 weeks-3 years old) | year-round
Head Start: Young Children (3-5 years old) | academic year

We provide high-quality preschool to children ages 0-5 at no cost to qualifying low-income families in Southern Prince George's County, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, Ward 5. Families of children with and without disabilities are welcome to apply.

For Early Head Start, contact earlyheadstart@eseal.org. For Head Start, contact headstart@eseal.org.

What Makes Us Special

• Students build reading and math skills.
• Well-trained teachers and engaging activities promote school readiness.
• We meet each child’s emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs.
• Our Family Advocates support the entire family’s well-being, offering customized resources and referrals in areas such as housing, food insecurity, education, employment, healthcare, and transportation.

Empowering individuals, families, and communities since 1945.

What Documents Do I Need to Apply?

• Proof of child’s age (birth certificate)
• Proof of residency (bill, lease)
• Proof of income (W2, paystub, child support documentation)

Volunteer

Are you a current parent, guardian, or caregiver to a Head Start student? Come to the center! Your participation is critical to our program success. Here are some ways you can volunteer.

• Provide general classroom help
• Read to children
• Set up family-style dining meals
• Prepare materials for daily lessons
• Set up and facilitate in-center events
• Facilitate family engagement network meetings
• Set up family learning parties
• Collect donations for classrooms/centers
• Serve on the Health Service Advisory Committee

If you are interested in any of the above opportunities or have additional questions, please contact the Director or Family Advocate at your local center.

This website is supported by Grant Numbers 03CH012317 and 03CH012075 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 Easterseals DC MD VA and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.