Head Start
Every child deserves a great head start - APPLY NOW
Head Start is a comprehensive program that provides a positive preschool environment and developmentally appropriate school readiness experiences. Our professional services include education & early childhood development, medical, dental & mental health, nutrition, and parent involvement.
For 20 + years, CCRC has been providing quality Head Start preschool experiences for three-and four year old children across the San Fernando Valley. In 2009, our award winning program staff also began offering Early Head Start services for children 0-3. In 2014, Palmdale School District began to directly provide Head Start and Early Head Start services as a partner of CCRC.
What can I expect from CCRC's Head Start program?
Head Start provides young learners with social and academic skills that prepare them for school.
- Our professional staff works with each child to ensure that all necessary medical and dental exams are completed.
- Children with disabilities are integrated into the preschool environment and parents are assisted with any disability services they may need for their child.
- Transportation resources are available.
- CCRC's state-of-the-art kitchen provides an exceptional environment to prepare over 16,000 nutritious meals that are served daily to children funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
- If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.
- Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
- Parents are encouraged to participate in trainings and workshops designed to increase parenting skills and literacy, prepare them for roles as Parent Council committee members, and to help them communicate with other parents and school administrators.
Where are CCRC’s Head Start preschools located?
CCRC Head Start is for children aged 3 to 5 from low income families who live in Van Nuys, Canoga Park, Sun Valley, Reseda, Pacoima, Arleta, Northridge, Sepulveda, Granada Hills, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Tarzana. CCRC’s partner, Palmdale School District, directly serves families in Palmdale and Lancaster. See the map of locations below. Families who live outside of CCRC’s service area may also be eligible through other Head Start agencies. Click here to find Head Start preschools in other areas.
Click here to find Head Start preschools in other areas.How does my child qualify for the program?
- A family must meet federal income guidelines which are established by reference to the official poverty line and adjusted annually in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index. These income guidelines can be waived for families with special circumstances who might benefit from placement in Head Start.
- A child must be at least three years of age. A child who will be four on or before December 2nd will receive priority.
- A child must not be eligible for kindergarten at the time of enrollment.
- A child with a disability will receive priority points.
- Regardless of any changes in family income, once a child is determined eligible and enrolled in the program, he or she will remain eligible for the program throughout the current year and for a second year, as long as he or she still meets the age requirements.
Why am I on the waiting list?
Eligible children are ranked by income and age. Families with the lowest incomes (adjusted for family size) will be assigned the highest ranking and, therefore, served first. If space is not available for a child, he or she will be placed on a waiting list until space becomes available. A child who leaves the program may re-apply later in the year and will be placed on the waiting list according to his or her ranking at the date of re-application. Click here to complete an Initial Intake Form.
Click here to complete an Initial Intake Form.What documents do I need to enroll?
- Child's official birth, hospital or baptismal certificate
- Immunization records and current TB test (Mantoux and/or chest x-ray)
- Proof of family income - any of the following is acceptable: one month of current check stubs, letter from employer, or 1040 tax form for current year
- Copy of TANF award letter or copy of check
- An IEP or doctor's certification if your child has a special medical need
- Four people we can contact in an emergency - names, addresses, and phone numbers
- Proof of address - utility bill For more information about Head Start programs and services, please call (818) 717-4515 to speak with a Head Start representative. For Palmdale School District’s Head Start program, please call (661)273-4710.
For more information about Head Start programs and services, please call (818) 717-4515 to speak with a Head Start representative.
Head Start Locations
Find a CCRC directly operated Head Start & Early Head Start location near you:
View list of all Head Start Locations
San Fernando Valley
| Anatola | (818) 342-2071 | 7364 Anatola Ave. Van Nuys, 91406 |
| Arthur Avila | (818) 715-9640 | 7304 Jordan Ave. Canoga Park, 91303 |
| Bertrand | (818) 342-2042 | 7021 Bertrand Ave, Reseda, 91335 |
| Fulton | (818) 781-4313 | 7477 Kester Ave. Van Nuys, 91405 |
| Lokrantz | (818) 717-4515 | 19451 Wyandotte St. Reseda, 91335 |
| CDI | (818) 704-5207 | 7260 Owensmouth Ave. Canoga Park, 91303 |
| Cohasset | (818) 988-9169 | 15810 Saticoy St. Van Nuys, 91406 |
| Columbus | (818) 376-4016 | 6700 Columbus Ave. Van Nuys, 91405 |
| Melvin | (818) 968-1576 | 7700 Melvin Ave. Reseda, 91335 |
| Miguel Montes | (818) 834-2358 | 10675 Telfair St. Pacoima, 91331 |
| Montague | (818) 272-2493 | 13000 Montague St. Pacoima, 91311 |
| Napa | (818) 993-8462 | 19010 Napa St. Northridge, 91324 |
| Osborne | (818) 830-1369 | 13821 Osborne St. Arleta, 91331 |
| Noble | (818) 830-8435 | 8329 Noble Ave. North Hills, CA 91343 |
| Reseda | (818) 705-0113 | 18120 Saticoy St. Reseda, 91335 |
| Chase | (818) 893-6161 | 14041 Chase St. Panorama City, 91402 |
| Roscoe Canyon | (818) 902-5935 | 13060 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, 91352 |
| Sepulveda | (818) 892-0728 | 15435 Rayen St. North Hills, 91343 |
| Sherwood | (818) 997-1077 | 7224 Woodley Ave. Van Nuys, 91406 |
| Tulsa | (818) 366-0350 | 10900 Hayvenhurst Ave. Granada Hills, 91344 |
| Valerio | (818) 786-3427 | 15035 Valerio St. Van Nuys, 91406 |
| Woodman | (818) 989-2379 | 5944 Woodman Ave. Van Nuys, 91401 |
| Van Nuys EHS | (818) 781-4349 | 8015 Van Nuys Blvd. Panorama City, 91402 |
| Zine | (818) 456-4568 | 21400 Saticoy St. Canoga Park, 91304 |
| Kitchen | (818) 997-9684 | 15126 Raymer St. Van Nuys, 91405 |
Palmdale Head Start
| Avenue J | (661) 273-4710 | 1702 East Ave. J Lancaster 93535 |
| Chaparral | (661) 273-4710 | 37500 50th St. East Palmdale, 93552 |
| Highland | (661) 273-4710 | 39023-39055 25th St. West Palmdale, 93551 |
| Manzanita | (661) 273-4710 | 38600-38676 33rd St. East Palmdale, 93550 |
| Mesquite | (661) 273-4710 | 37622 43rd St. East Palmdale 93552 |
| Ocotillo | (661) 273-4710 | 38701-38813 Ocotillo Dr. Palmdale, 93551 |
| Palm Tree | (661) 273-4710 | 312-372 Ave. R Palmdale, 93550 |
| Site 18 | (661) 273-4710 | 37200-37284 37th St. East Palmdale 93550 |
| Tamarisk | (661) 273-4710 | 1800-1898 East Ave. Q 5 Palmdale, 93550 |
| Tierra Bonita | (661) 273-4710 | 44800-44912 27th St. East Lancaster, 93535 |
| Tumbleweed | (661) 273-4710 | 1100-1118 East Ave. R 4 Palmdale, 93550 |
| Wilsona | (661) 273-4710 | 41607-41659 170th St. East Lake Los Angeles, 93535 |
| Yucca | (661) 273-4710 | 38440 2nd St. East Palmdale, 93550 |
Apply to a Head Start Site
If you live in an area not served by one of our locations, click here to find more Head Start preschools. For more information, please call (818) 717-4515 for the San Fernando Valley and (661) 273-4710 for the Antelope Valley.
Canoga Park
Arthur Avila (HS 3-5)
CDI (HS 3-5)
Zine (EHS 0-3)
Zine (HS 3-5)
Click here to APPLY
Van Nuys
Anatola (HS 3-5)
Fulton (HS 3-5)
Cohasset (HS 3-5)
Columbus (HS 3-5)
Sherwood (HS 3-5)
Valerio (HS 3-5)
Woodman (HS 3-5)
EHS-HB (HS 3-5)
Click here to APPLY
Early Head Start
Early Head Start is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children (0-3) and to promote healthy family functioning. (Hyperlinks to HS ChildPlus Application) CCRC currently serves 40 60 Home-Based children in 91403, 91405, 91411 and 91423 and 16 Center-Based in The Canoga Park area (Zine). In the Palmdale School District, CCRC’s partner, directly serves 10880 children in 93550, 93551, 93552, 93535, 93591, 93543 and 93534.
What can I expect from Early Head Start?
A caring and compassionate home visitor will meet with you in the comfort of your home. During this weekly visit, you will learn and share developmentally appropriate activities for you to do with your child. You will be provided with information about community resources. We will assist you in planning and achieving family goals.
What are socializations?
- Twice a month, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with other EHS parents.
- You will learn that you are not alone in the challenges and joys of raising a young child.
- Share activity ideas with other families.
- Observe your child responding to yourself and others.
- Strengthen your relationship with your child.
- Share your culture and learn about others.
What other opportunities are available to me through EHS?
Program planning and decision making are made by parents through participation in Parent Committees and Parent Policy Council/Committee Educational meetings and workshops regarding Health and Safety, Nutrition, Mental Health Family Services, and Disabilities
For further information on how to enroll in CCRC’s Early Head Start program, please call (818) 717-4515. For Palmdale School District’s Early Head Start program, please call (661) 273-4710.
The Partnership
The Partnership is a leading national model being rolled out based on the proven success of the Early Head Start program. The Partnership offers full day, full year child care to ensure children receive healthy early experiences and developmentally appropriate activities to help them realize their full potential. The Partnership also provides comprehensive support to families to make sure their child’s health and wellness and family goals are met. It serves children ages 0-3 in a child care setting or 0-4 in a family child care home.
“We are pleased to be able to increase support to families and their children in high quality settings throughout our service area,” said CCRC President & CEO, Dr. Michael Olenick. “We see this as a bright beginning to improving the quality of care for infant and toddlers who have been overlooked for so long.”
Family benefits:
- Full day, full year high quality child care
- Gap funding for parents who lose their subsidy and help with re-enrollment process
- Ongoing comprehensive services include:
- Nutrition
- Dental care
- Mental health
- Health care
- Disabilities
- Other family needs
- Ongoing assessment and support of social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth and development
- FREE diapers, wipes and formula while in child care
Child care provider benefits:
- Access to comprehensive support for children and families
- Assistance with materials and equipment for family child care home or center
- Coaching and mentoring from a child development specialist
- Access to a monthly quality supplement for each enrolled child
- Opportunities to obtain a Child Development Associate Credential or other approved degree/certification
CCRC provides services to 158 60 children in the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys, and the Metro Los Angeles area. In Addition, CCRC is also providing Center-Based EHS Services to 48 families in the San Fernando Valley (TLC Center) and Antelope Valleys (LPC Center).
Common Questions - Parents
Is Head Start available where I live?
CCRC's Head Start serves the communities of Van Nuys, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Canoga Park, Sun Valley, Reseda, Pacoima, Northridge, Sepulveda, Granada Hills, and Arleta. Children who live outside of these communities are still eligible if their parents work or attend school in the area, have child care in the area, or if a CCRC Head Start location is the nearest preschool to their home.
What are the eligibility requirements for Head Start?
To be eligible for CCRC's Head Start program, families must qualify under the Federal Income Poverty guidelines. Income requirements may be waived for special circumstance or disability, but must not exceed a specific amount. Click here for more information on how to qualify.
