Programs and Services
We offer free Birth to 5 programs in school districts, college campuses, community
agencies, child care centers, and homes throughout King County and Pierce County.
Explore our services, models, and eligibility requirements below.
Please keep in mind that each of our centers/sites has different options
available and may have additional requirements. Use our Find a Classroom map
to find contact information for centers/sites near you.
Please keep in mind that each of our centers/sites has different options
available and may have additional requirements. Use our Find a Classroom map
to find contact information for centers/sites near you.
Preschool (3 to 4 Years Old)
Click each panel to learn about our preschool programs:
ECEAP - State-Funded Preschool
Services for ECEAP Children and Families
The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP, pronounced E-CAP) is a preschool program funded by the Washington State
Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Below are some of the services provided for your child and family:
Quality indoor and outdoor learning experiences that promote school readiness
Family support resources, including parent education
and leadership opportunities
Nutritious classroom
meals served family-style
Health and development
screenings and assessments
Models
ECEAP has 3 models, each with different hours and calendar days. Please call a center/site to learn what they have available.
Part Day
- Minimum 3 hours per class session
- Minimum 360 hours of direct service in no less than 30 calendar weeks
School Day
- Minimum 5.5 hours per class session
- 4-5 days per week
- Minimum 1,000 hours of direct service in no less than 30 calendar weeks
Working Day
- Open at least 10 hours per day, 5 days per week
- Minimum 2,370 hours of direct service per year
- Parents/guardians must meet child care, employment, and/or training requirements
Eligibility
Your child and family can be eligible for ECEAP in many ways. Below are the typical eligibility requirements.
Children must be 3 or 4 years old by August 31 and one or more of the following should apply:
Living on limited income, based on Federal Poverty Guidelines
Child(ren) has an active Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
Call a center/site to learn more!
If interested in ECEAP Working Day, parents must meet one or more of the following:
Single Parent Family
- Parent is employed
- Parent is in formal training program
- Family is approved for CPS childcare
- Parent is in WorkFirst activities
- Combination of the above for minimum of 25 hrs./week
Two Parent Family
- Both parents employed
- Both parents in formal training program
- Family is approved for CPS childcare
- Both parents in WorkFirst activities
- Combination of the above for minimum of 55 hrs./week
Head Start (HS) - Federal-Funded Preschool
Services for Head Start Children and Families
Head Start is a preschool program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start.
Below are some of the services provided for your child and family:
Quality indoor and outdoor learning experiences that promote school readiness
Family support resources, including parent education
and leadership opportunities
Nutritious classroom
meals served family-style
Health and development
screenings and assessments
Models
Head Start has 3 models, each with different hours and calendar days. Please call a center/site to learn what they have available.
Part Day
-
3-5 hours per day, 4 or 5 days per week
-
128 (4-day) to 160 (5-day) days per year of planned class operations
School Day
-
6 hours per day, 4 or 5 days per week
-
128 (4-day) to 160 (5-day) days per year of planned class operations
Working Day
-
Maximum 10 hours per day, 4-5 days per week
-
128 (4-day) to 160 (5-day) days per year of planned class operations
Eligibility
Your child and family can be eligible for Head Start in many ways. Below are the typical eligibility requirements.
Children must be 3 or 4 years old by August 31 and one or more of the following should apply:
Living on limited income, based on Federal Poverty Guidelines
Currently experiencing homelessness, or in the last 12 months
Receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI for disability)
Child is in foster care or kinship care
Call a center/site to learn more!
If interested in Head Start Working Day, parents should also receive Working Connections Child Care (WCCC).
Family Child Care (FCC)
Services for Family Child Care Children and Families
Family Child Care (FCC) follows any Head Start or ECEAP model (see panels above for more information).
Services are provided inside a licensed family child care provider's home or similar setting.
For more information about Family Child Care, please call, text or email:
Infants and Toddlers (Zero up to 36 Months)
Click each panel to learn about our infant-toddler programs:
Early Head Start
Services for Early Head Start Children and Families
Early Head Start (EHS) programs provide similar services as preschool Head Start programs, but they are tailored for
the unique needs of infants and toddlers. Below are some of the services provided for your child and family:
Quality learning experiences that promote transition to preschool
Family support resources, including enhanced bonding and attachment
Nutritious meals
Health and development
screenings and assessments
Models
Early Head Start has 2 classroom models, each with different hours and calendar days. Please call a center/site to learn what they have available.
EHS Child Care Partnership (CCP)
- 1,380 annual hours of planned class operations for all enrolled children
- Provides quality licensed child care that allows for flexible and convenient full-day and full-year services
EHS Center-Based
- 1,380 annual hours of planned class operations for all enrolled children
Eligibility
Your child and family can be eligible for Early Head Start in many ways. Below are the typical eligibility requirements.
Children must be age 0 up to 36 months and one or more of the following should apply:
Living on limited income, based on Federal Poverty Guidelines
Currently experiencing homelessness, or in the last 12 months
Receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI for disability)
Child is in foster care or kinship care
Call a center/site to learn more!
If interested in EHS CCP, parents should also receive childcare subsidy (a form of public assistance), including Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) or other source directed specifically to the child care center.
Early Head Start Home-Based
Services for Early Head Start Home-Based Children and Families
Early Head Start (EHS) Home-Based provides similar services as preschool Head Start programs, but they take place
in your home and are tailored for the unique needs of pregnant/postpartum families and families of infants/toddlers.
Below are some of the services provided for your child and family:
Weekly home visits supporting the parent-child relationship
Family support resources, including parent education and leadership opportunities
Child development, health, and nutrition education
Infant/toddler and parent playgroups, and family activities
One home visit per week per family, for at least 1.5 hours each,
minimum 46 visits per year
Minimum 22 group socialization activities (playgroup) per year
Eligibility
Your child and family can be eligible for EHS Home-Based in many ways. Below are the typical eligibility requirements.
Children must be age 0 up to 36 months and one or more of the following should apply:
Living on limited income, based on Federal Poverty Guidelines
Currently experiencing homelessness, or in the last 12 months
Receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI for disability)
Child is in foster care or kinship care
Family Child Care (FCC)
Services for Family Child Care Children and Families
Family Child Care (FCC) follows any center-based Early Head Start model (see panels above for more information).
Services are provided inside a licensed family child care provider's home or similar setting.
For more information about Family Child Care, please call, text or email:
Pregnant Families
Services for Early Head Start Home-Based Pregnant Families
Early Head Start (EHS) Home-Based provides similar services as preschool Head Start programs, but they take place
in your home and are tailored for the unique needs of pregnant/postpartum families and families of infants/toddlers.
Below are some of the services provided for you and your family:
Weekly home visits supporting the pregnancy and post-partum period
Family support resources, including parent education and leadership opportunities
Child development, health, and nutrition education
Infant/toddler and parent playgroups, and family activities
One home visit per week per family, for at least 1.5 hours each,
minimum 46 visits per year
Minimum 22 group socialization activities (playgroup) per year
Eligibility
You and your family can be eligible for EHS Home-Based in many ways. Below are the typical eligibility requirements.
Living on limited income, based on Federal Poverty Guidelines
Currently experiencing homelessness, or in the last 12 months
Receiving public assistance (TANF, SSI for disability)
Child is in foster care or kinship care