Home Maine Head Start Programs

Federally-funded head start programs help prepare young children from low-income families, ages birth to five years old, and their parents for the social and educational challenges that young children face as they develop. Each head start program focuses on providing comprehensive services designed to enhance a child's emotional, social, cultural, language, reading, mathematics, science, health and nutrition education.

This head start center locator page contains links to listings of programs offered in the 16 counties in the state of Maine. Each listings page contains the name, address and contact information for a specific county's available centers. From that page, use additional links to explore individual center facts, application instructions and directions.

Our head start center locator features the number of head start centers per county in parentheses ( ) to the right of the county names. To see a current list of your county's head start centers, click your county's name.


Maine Head Start Program Centers Listed by Counties


Recently Updated Center in Maine Head Start Program Database:

Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care
Lewiston ME 04240-7331
2077954040
Head Start isa program for children and their families. Head Start succeeds in teaching children how to be successful in group settings, and prepares them academically for kindergarten. Head Start builds partnerships with all families, including support for families to pursue their goals. Head Start curriculum and activities are designed to be fully inclusive of children with varying abilities, including those with moderate to severe disabilities.
Little Feathers Head Start was established to promote the importance of education, as well as, the parent�s investment in the families continued educational/social experience while incorporating the Micmac culture and beliefs.
Aroostook County Action Program
Presque Isle ME 04769-2201
2077683045
Head Start• Comprehensive preschool development program for children ages 3-5 from income-eligible families• Child centered approach to learning with a focus on school readiness in the areas of language and literacy, math and science• Values parents as a child's first and most important teacher• Dental, vision, hearing, nutritional, and developmental screenings and follow-up for all children• Partnerships with parents to access resources in the community• Licensed facilities in Fort Kent, Fort Fairfield, Caribou, Mars Hill, Dyer Brook, Houlton, and Presque Isle offer traditional Head Start four days per week, three hours per day during the school year• Full day/full year programs are available to income-eligible families who are working or going to school in Houlton, Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Caribou• Meals are provided to children attending the program
Child and Family Opportunities, Inc.
Ellsworth ME 04605-2530
2076672995
Head Start is a free preschool program for children, age 3 through 5 until kindergarten-eligible, funded through the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start and the Maine Office of Head Start. Head Start is available to children and families who meet federal income eligibility guidelines, as established by the Office of Management and Budget. Ninety percent of the children must meet income guidelines and at least 10 percent of those accepted will be children with disabilities. The program includes a preschool classroom experience for children, a range of health and social service supports, and many opportunities for parent involvement. Nutritious meals are provided to each child in a family style setting. Parents are encouraged to participate in classroom programs, home visits with staff, center activities, and on policy-making boards and committees.
Community Concepts, Inc.
South Paris ME 04281-1533
2077396516
Head Start is a comprehensive program for children from birth to age five and expectant families. The goal of Head Start is to nurture future success for children and families by providing education, support and resources.
Kennebec Valley Community Action Program
Waterville ME 04901-6339
2078591599
Early Care and Education programs for children ages birth to 5. Our program options are sure to include care that meets your needs and the needs of your child. Programs are designed for families who want to strengthen their ability to improve their lives, the lives of their children, and increase school readiness skills. Use the links to the right to find a program that best fits your child and family needs.
Maliseet Head Start (AIAN)
Houlton ME 04730-3429
2075212411
The Head Start is presently taking applications for 2011/2012 school year. To be eligible your child must turn 3 years old on or before October 15 2011, or turn 5 years old after October 15, 2011.
Midcoast Maine Community Action
Bath ME 04530-1515
2074427963
Head Start provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to income-eligible children and their families. The focus of this program is to ensure that children are ready to start school while addressing all aspects of a child’s development and learning.
Penquis CAP, Inc.
Bangor ME 04401-4952
2079733531
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs for preschool children 0-5 years of age. Early Head Start is for children 0-3 years of age. Head Start is for children 3-5 years of age.These programs are free of charge for income eligible families. A sliding fee scale is in place for child care services. Children experience developmentally appropriate classroom activities to increase skills in Learning, Thinking and Doing, Social Interactions, Large and Small Muscle Development, and Daily Health and Nutrition Routines.c
SKCDC has operated the Head Start Program since its inception in 1965. Studies at that time showed that children from low income families were not entering school as prepared to learn as children from higher economic levels. Head Start was designed to offer high quality early childhood education, nutrition, health, and social services, along with a strong parent involvement component. Initially, the primary goal of the program was to increase social competence in preschool children. That goal has expanded to include more emphasis on a child's cognitive development especially in the areas of language and literacy.