Free preschool program for eligible families with children ages 3 or 4 by September 1.
Research shows that quality early childhood education is essential for success throughout a child’s life. Enrolling your child in preschool will help nourish your child’s mind, emotions, and social skills and prepare them for kindergarten and beyond!
Now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 program-year.
North Idaho College has administered the local Head Start program for more than 45 years. Funding is provided through the Administration for Children & Families, Department of Health & Human Services – Office of Head Start.
What is Head Start?
Head Start Services for Children and Families
Children’s Services
Early Learning and Development
- We build strong relationships as the foundation of early learning.
- We support learning through play, creative expression, and guided activities.
- We support children’s social and emotional development.
- We promote early math and science concepts in children’s home languages and in English
- We promote language and literacy development in children’s home languages and in English
Health and Wellness
- We promote physical development both indoors and outdoors.
- We serve breakfast, lunch and health snacks.
- We provide medical, dental, hearing, vision, and behavioral screening
Family Partnership and Well-Being
- We provide parent and family services.
- We help families find assistance in challenging times.
- We help families identify and reach their goals, including goals related to housing, employment, education and parenting.
- We invite parents to share information and insights about their child.
- We invite parents to offer ways to improve children and families’ experience in the program
Disability Services
- We build on children’s strengths.
- We individualize experiences to meet the needs of each child.
- We collaborate with parents and community agencies when further assessment is needed.
Mental Health Services
- We help families understand and support their child’s needs.
- We can assist with mental health services for children and families, if needed.
Request accessible format
If you need help with this information, please email us, or call 208-769-3300.
Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.