Frequently Asked Questions

Head Start is the national commitment to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life. Head Start is a federally-funded program that serves children and families through a variety of services—from pregnancy through school entry—based on the latest research on child health, safety, nutrition, behavior, and more. Head Start preschool serves children ages three to five, while Early Head Start serves children from birth to age three, as well as pregnant women.

There are four main ways to qualify for Head Start: 1) a family’s income is equal to or below the federal poverty line; 2) the family is eligible for public assistance, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); 3) the family is experiencing homelessness according to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; or 4) the child is in foster care. For children who do not qualify under these criteria, there may also be other circumstances under which they may be eligible, which can be discussed with the Head Start program.

Partnership benefits for community colleges may include (but are not limited to): providing convenient and affordable access to a high-quality early learning program for parenting students; financial independence from running an on-campus child care center; increasing persistence and completion among parenting students; building capacity to support students’ basic needs; providing potential practicum opportunities for students in areas/disciplines that can support Head Start staffing needs; and recruitment and enrollment opportunities.

This will depend on what is negotiated between the community college and Head Start partner. Examples of associated costs reported by community colleges in existing partnerships include operations and maintenance costs related to janitorial services, groundskeeping, electric and water bills, phone and internet, and security. However, these costs may be nominal and could be included in the rental/leasing agreement or provided as “in-kind” support to the Head Start program, which counts toward their required 20% non-federal match.

Yes, this is a foundational principle of the Kids on Campus partnership. If your college does not want any involvement in the child care center, this would be referred to as a “landlord-tenant model” in which the college agrees to provide free or low-cost space to bring a Head Start program or classroom on campus with Head Start having sole responsibility for managing and operating the center/program/classroom. The specific terms of the agreement will be negotiated by the community college and Head Start partners.

This is negotiated and decided by the community college and Head Start partners. There are several different operating models that may serve as a guide. A few examples include:

• The “landlord-tenant” model involves the campus providing the space or facility, while the Head Start program assumes full responsibility for the independent operation of the center. In this model, Head Start operates as a standalone program, with no other childcare service providers on-site. It may also include leasing college-owned land to the Head Start program for the construction of modular or portable buildings.

• Some colleges may choose to operate their on-campus child care program themselves as a subcontractor of the Head Start program for a certain number of slots. In this model, the community college is responsible for running the program and the Head Start program enrolls the children.

• Another model would be a college that already has a child care center on campus and the Head Start program may be embedded with the existing site. In this model, Head Start runs its program independently, but in coordination with the center.

A center-based program must have at least 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child (exclusive of bathrooms, halls, kitchen, staff rooms, and storage places) and at least 75 square feet of usable outdoor play space per child. Head Start facilities must meet state, tribal, or local licensing requirements, even if exempted by the licensing entity. When state, tribal, or local requirements vary from Head Start requirements, the most stringent provision takes precedence.

Yes, colleges may leverage multiple funding streams to support child care on campus, with Head Start being one option. Other funding sources may include federal, state and local funding, voucher programs, and/or private pay options.

Yes, Head Start funding can support renovations needed to meet program requirements. Under the Head Start 1303 application, federal funds may be available for facility modifications to ensure health, safety, and quality standards.

Kids on Campus directors can assist in identifying potential Head Start partners and facilitating conversations. You can also reach out to the closest local Head Start in your community directly to express your interest and initiate conversations. Finally, you can use the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start locator tool to identify additional Head Start programs within proximity to your campus that may be able to serve student parents, children, and families as part of their service area.

Yes. And our Kids on Campus User Guide provides information for you to consider before reaching out, as well as topics for negotiation as conversations move forward.

Yes, you can find information about existing partnerships in our Kids on Campus User Guide and on the Kids on Campus Partnership Map. You can also contact the project directors to assist in connecting you to staff in successful partnerships.

Let’s talk! We welcome the opportunity to engage with state community college associations and higher education systems in our outreach and partnership efforts. Please reach out to us directly at kidsoncampus@acct.org or through our group Calendly to schedule a meeting for us to explore opportunities for collaboration.