Free preschool program
Area Five Head Start provides free preschool in Cass, Fulton and Wabash counties. Head Start accepts children regardless of race, gender, color, creed, national origin or Special Needs. Eligibility for enrollment is based on the child’s age and family income.
We take child applications all year long.
Eligibility is based on child’s age and family’s income.
If you are interested in filling out an application for your child, please call one of the phone numbers below to make an appointment.
- Please call (574)-722-4451
At your appointment to fill out the application, please bring the following:
- Child's birth certificate
- Child's shot record
- Any important documents (Custody Papers, IEP, Allergy, Asthma, etc.)
- Income information (current pay stub and last year's W2 or tax form, SSI, child support documentation, unemployment, and school grants if applicable)
- SNAP card
About Area Five Head Start
Area Five Head Start is a preschool program offered four days a week August-May. Our curriculum is aligned with Indiana’s Early Learning Development Framework and Indiana Academic Standards. In addition to education, Head Start also provides:
- Hot breakfast and lunch
- development assessments
- Individualized teaching
- Parent involvement opportunities
- Family support with resources
- Speech & hearing evaluations
- School readiness skills
The expectation is that parents will participate in the program at all levels, including donating time to help the program. It is important to review and understand our Head Start center policies on transportation, curriculum, and more.
Parent InformationHead Start Policies
"Grandpa Jay", a volunteer at Head Start
To apply for Head Start, visit your nearest participating location:
Additional Head Start Resources:
- National Head Start site for families
- National Head Start Association
- Indiana Head Start Association
- Health Coverage, Food Stamps, Cash Assistance
- Kids Health
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children
- Kid’s Mental Health Portal
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
* This website is supported by Grant Number 05CH012057-04-00 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 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.