Head Start

Welcome to Head Start – A Nationally Accredited Program of Excellence

Located at 4974 Heege Road, St. Louis, Missouri, Head Start is a proud part of the YWCA Metro St. Louis Early Education Program. As a nationally recognized Program of Excellence, we are committed to providing high-quality education, childcare, and family support services to income-eligible families in our community.

Our Services:

- Head Start & Early Head Start: Federally and state-funded programs designed to offer exceptional educational experiences and childcare for preschool-aged children, infants, and toddlers. Our programs emphasize learning through play, fostering fun, family involvement, and friendship building.

- Prenatal Services: We offer specialized prenatal services to support expectant families. For more details on enrolling, please contact the Overland Prenatal Service Center at 314.441.9613 or the Bessie T. Draper Early Head Start Center at 314.304.8076.

Why Choose Us?

- Accreditation & Excellence: We are the only program in Missouri and one of just 13 in the nation to be honored with the National Program of Excellence accreditation from the National Head Start Association. This prestigious recognition highlights our effective management, fiscal responsibility, and commitment to partnering with parents and the community.

- Comprehensive Reach: Serving over 1,000 preschool-aged children and more than 200 infants and toddlers, we operate across nine YWCA Early Childhood Education Centers and 12 Child Care Partner Centers in St. Louis City and County.

- Licensed & Accredited: All our locations are licensed by the Missouri Department of Health-Bureau of Child Care Safety and Licensure and accredited by Missouri Accreditation of Programs for Children and Youth.

Commitment to Quality:

At Head Start, we continuously strive to exceed our goals and achievements, ensuring that every child and family receives tailored programming and services. We celebrate and support our dedicated staff, recognizing their role in our ongoing success.

For enrollment inquiries or more information about our programs, please call us at 314.427.4940. Join us at Head Start, where we nurture young minds and build strong foundations for future success.