Berks County Head Start
Free Preschool for Qualifying Families

The Berks County Head Start program serves 505 students in 30 classrooms throughout Berks County. All attempts are made to enroll children in locations close to their homes. Classrooms operate 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, following a typical school year format.

The Head Start program provides high-quality early learning education alongside comprehensive services including: school readiness development, parent involvement and engagement, mental health and disabilities supports, social services, and health and nutrition support.

Program Mission:  To Provide high quality, comprehensive services to all enrolled Head Start children and their families.  By forming a partnership with parents, staff and community members, we offer services designed to promote the healthiest, safest environment in which families, children and staff can thrive and reach their full potential.

Program Goals:   Prepare and teach preschool children the school readiness skills need to be ready for school success. 

  • Support early learning, build strong relationships, and provide positive environments for children to learn and grow in. 

  • Provide opportunities for children and families in our program that will help prepare them for future school and life success.

  • We believe families are the primary educators in their children’s lives and seek to help them become advocates for their children. 

Enrollment Information

To enroll your child, you can download the application through the link below or contact the Head Start Program at 610-987-8595   o para información en español llame al 610-987-8595  .

Return your completed application along with a current copy of your child’s immunization record, physical, and dental exam. Please also include evidence of your previous year’s income. Submitting the required documents will expedite your enrollment process.

Does your child qualify? Find out today!

Complete the Head Start Pre-Screening to get in contact with a representative from the BCIU Early Childhood team.

This website is supported by Grant Number 03CH012435 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 the Berks County Intermediate Unit and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.