Community Action Agency of OKC Head Start

The Community Action Agency of OKC operates a free, federally funded Head Start preschool for children ages three to five at 18 sites around the Oklahoma City area. The program bundles early learning with meals and a range of health screenings.

What it offers

• No-cost preschool for three- to five-year-olds at 18 convenient locations
• Daily meals served as part of the school day
• Dental, medical, vision, and hearing screenings for enrolled children
• A structured early learning environment that readies children for kindergarten
• Teachers and staff who support both learning and healthy development

Who it is for

The program is built for income-eligible families, and several groups qualify automatically: children in foster care, those from families experiencing homelessness, and households that receive SNAP or TANF. It is a good match for parents who want a comprehensive preschool experience without tuition, and who value the health screenings that come with it. Because there are 18 locations, families across the metro can usually find a site within reach. Full eligibility details are on the official site.

Getting started

Parents begin by completing a brief online application. Once it is submitted, program staff reach out to schedule an enrollment appointment, review any supporting documents, and confirm which of the 18 locations works best for the family. This short first step is designed to move a child toward a classroom placement without a lengthy process, and staff are available to answer questions along the way for families who are new to Head Start.

What to have ready

The application itself is brief, but a little groundwork makes the follow-up appointment smoother. Because the program serves income-eligible families and enrolls certain groups automatically, it helps to have information about the household on hand, including whether the family receives SNAP or TANF or a child is in foster care. The official site describes the current documents needed.

It is also worth thinking about which of the 18 locations is most convenient before the enrollment appointment. Knowing a child’s age and any health or developmental concerns lets staff prepare for the screenings that come with enrollment, so the first meeting is spent moving toward a classroom placement rather than sorting logistics.

Because the preschool serves ages three to five, families with a younger child can plan ahead for when that child becomes eligible, and siblings in range may attend the same program. Reaching out before the school year a family is targeting tends to help, and staff are glad to answer questions from parents new to Head Start along the way, so no one feels lost in the process.

Parents with questions before they start can call the program at (405) 232-0199 during regular business hours, and staff are glad to walk families new to Head Start through what enrollment involves. The online application itself is short, and once it is submitted staff reach out to set the enrollment appointment. Because children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and households receiving SNAP or TANF generally qualify automatically, it helps to mention any of those situations early so eligibility is confirmed quickly; other families qualify based on income. Having a child’s age and any health or developmental notes ready lets staff prepare for the screenings that come with enrollment, and knowing which of the 18 locations is most convenient means the first appointment can focus on placing the child rather than sorting logistics.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start?

Complete the brief online application, and program staff will contact you to schedule an enrollment appointment at a convenient location. The first step is meant to be short.

Does my child qualify automatically?

Children in foster care, families experiencing homelessness, and households receiving SNAP or TANF generally qualify automatically. Other families qualify based on income.

What ages does the preschool serve?

The Head Start preschool serves children ages three to five across 18 Oklahoma City area locations. Families can choose the site most convenient for them.

Are meals and health checks included?

Yes. Enrolled children receive daily meals along with dental, medical, vision, and hearing screenings as part of the program at no cost to the family.