Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Human Services Office of Health and Human Services

RI Celebrates 60 Years of Head Start

Published on Friday, May 30, 2025

Families are encouraged to apply for the 2025-2026 school year 

The State of Rhode Island is marking 60 years of Head Start success, while encouraging families to apply for the upcoming school year. Head Start programs support children's growth from birth to age 5 through services centered around early learning and development, health, and family well-being. Head Start staff actively engage parents, recognizing family participation throughout the program as key to strong child outcomes

“Rhode Island has long recognized that high-quality early learning programs help establish strong foundations for children’s lifelong success. Head Start not only benefits children, but also their families and Rhode Island has allocated state funding to this important program for over 35 years, capitalizing on the return on investment.  Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and Head Start puts them on that path to success. RI Head Start programs are currently enrolling for the fall of 2025 and I encourage all eligible children and families to apply,” said Governor Dan McKee.

“Launched in 1965, Head Start is nationally recognized in the field of early childhood education for providing innovative, high-quality, comprehensive support services for children and families to prepare them for future success,” said Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest. “As the chair of the Rhode Island Children’s Cabinet, I encourage all eligible families to apply for this great program.”

“The Rhode Island Department of Human Services is committed to ensuring Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to thrive at home, work, and in the community,” said Kimberly Merolla-Brito, Rhode Island Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Director. “Head Start programs are a critical community partner in supporting families trying to access high quality, early care, and education. Opportunities for our youngest learners will encourage long-term growth, personal enrichment, and success. We strive for our children to reach their full potential and value our longstanding partnership with RI Head Start programs to do so.”

“We mark 60 years of Head Start by celebrating and elevating the program’s critical role in preparing our youngest learners for long-term success,” said RIDE Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “In Rhode Island, we recognize that high-quality early childhood programs open doors for students of all backgrounds, and we’re pleased to offer free seats in communities throughout the Ocean State. We encourage families to enroll their young children and help them get a head start for success in the classroom and beyond.”

RI DHS would like to remind pregnant women and families with children ages birth to age five that Head Start programs are accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. 

Early Head Start and Head Start services are free of charge to enrolled children and families and adhere to the evidence-based Head Start Program Performance Standards. Children and families in all 39 cities and towns are eligible for services and they are delivered through seven providers – CHILD, Inc.; Children’s Friend; Comprehensive Community Action Program; East Bay Community Action Program; Meeting Street; Tri-County Community Action Agency; and Woonsocket Head Start Child Development Association, Inc., who structure their programs to meet needs of families in their community. Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging families every step of the way.

Families with the greatest need are prioritized for enrollment. Those who meet one or more of the following criteria are considered eligible and are encouraged to apply:

  • Families’ income is equal to or below the Federal Poverty Level
  • Family is eligible for public assistance including:
    • SNAP
    • SSI
    • TANF (RI Works)
    • TANF child-only payments
  • The child is experiencing homelessness
  • The child is in foster care

Families can reach out to their local provider for additional information about Head Start and enrollment criteria. More information can be found here. Slots are limited, so families should contact their local program today.

All RI Head Start providers also operate RIDE-funded RI Pre-K classrooms. The RI Pre-K Lottery is now accepting applications for children who are 4 years old by September 1, 2025, and who live in the following 21 communities: Bristol-Warren, Central Falls, Coventry, Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, Lincoln, Middletown, Newport, North Kingstown, North Providence, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Smithfield, South Kingstown, Warwick, Westerly, West Warwick, and Woonsocket. 

To be eligible to attend, children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2025, be residents of one of the identified RI Pre-K communities, and not be eligible for kindergarten. The application lottery closes on June 22, 2025. To apply to the RI Pre-K Lottery, visit https://ripreklottery.ride.ri.gov/.

More information on the 2024-2025 RI Pre-K Programs can be found at https://ride.ri.gov/instruction-assessment/early-childhood-education/ri-pre-k#31841520-lottery-information.