Welcome to our community!

YCCAC Head Start and Early Head Start provide high-quality early childhood care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years in locations throughout York County. We also provide a caring and supportive community for families and caregivers.

Teaching children and supporting families in York County.

Teaching Children

YCCAC Head Start and Early Head Start offer center-based programming in a safe, caring, and inclusive environment. Classrooms are located in cities and towns throughout York County, Maine.

Dedicated, well-trained teachers and staff follow an age-appropriate, individualized curriculum that supports social, emotional, physical, and educational development so that your child is ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

Early Head Start for infants & toddlers

For children 6 weeks to 3 years old

• Full-day, year-round schedule
• Small group size of 8 children with staff trained in infant/toddler development
• Individualized infant feeding and sleeping routines
• Diapers, wipes, formula, and many other items provided as needed during school time
• Nutritious meals and snacks to toddlers
• Daily written communications to parents

head start for preschoolers

For children 3 to 5 years old

• School-year schedule
• Nutritious meals and snacks
• Individualized curriculum to support literacy, numeracy and math skills, creativity, health and nutrition
• Social-emotional learning program focused on child’s well-being
• Full-day pre-K classrooms in partnership with Biddeford and Sanford public schools (with transportation provided in Biddeford)

“My husband and I are very appreciative of the time they have dedicated getting to know our son on a personal level, not just another student in the classroom.”

– York County Head Start Parent

Supporting Families

We recognize that you are your child’s first and most important teacher. We look to build upon this valuable relationship by partnering with you and your child throughout their early education. We screen and assess each child to meet them where they are and have regular two-way communication with families to identify individual goals for school readiness.

When your child enters the YCCAC Early Head Start or Head Start program, you join a supportive community of staff, teachers, and other families and caregivers who you can turn to for information and assistance. There are also education, leadership, and volunteer opportunities for families who wish to get more involved.

A staff member from Head Start will work in partnership with you to understand your family’s specific goals and help connect you to available resources as needed.

Free to Qualified Families

• Head Start and Early Head Start are available at no cost to eligible families.
• Eligibility is based on family size and income. 
• TANF, Supplemental Security Income recipients, SNAP, foster children, and homeless children are eligible. 

Apply today to find out if your family qualifies.