Preschool or Head Start: How They Differ
Preschool and Head Start both prepare young children for school, but Head Start is a federally funded program with eligibility rules and family services. Here is the difference.
Updated
This guide is informational and is not professional advice.
Category: choosing-care · Updated 2026
Preschool and Head Start can look similar on a tour: a classroom of young children, a teacher, and a focus on early learning. Two things separate them: who runs them and who is eligible. Preschool is generally a private or public early-learning program, sometimes fee-based and sometimes state-funded. Head Start is a federally funded program for eligible children and families, and it adds health, nutrition, and family support services.
How preschool works
Preschool programs may be private, run by a nonprofit or faith group, or funded by the state as pre-kindergarten. Hours range from a few mornings a week to full days. Tuition varies, and state-funded pre-kindergarten may be free or low-cost for eligible families. The focus is early learning and social development.
How Head Start works
Head Start serves children ages three to five from families that meet income and other eligibility criteria, and Early Head Start serves pregnant people and children under three. Programs provide early learning along with health screening, nutrition, and family support. There is usually no cost to eligible families. See CCDF Subsidies and Child Care Assistance.
Comparing cost and eligibility
| Factor | Preschool | Head Start |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | Private, nonprofit, or state-funded | Federally funded local program |
| Eligibility | Open enrollment, tuition may apply | Income and other eligibility rules |
| Cost | Varies; some free pre-kindergarten | Usually free to eligible families |
| Extra services | Varies | Health, nutrition, family support |
Because eligibility and availability differ, the practical step is to apply to both and compare what each offers your child.
Sources: Office of Head Start; ChildCare.gov.
Related guides
- Child Care Options: Centers, Homes, Preschool, and School-Age Care
- Infant/Toddler Care or Preschool: What Sets Them Apart?
- CCDF Subsidies and Child Care Assistance
- Does the Government Help Pay for Child Care?
Frequently asked questions
Does Head Start cost anything?
Can my child attend Head Start and another child care program?
How do we apply for Head Start?
Is Head Start only for children from low-income families?
Data sources
ChildCare.gov · ChildCare.gov state licensing directory. This guide is informational and is not professional advice. Data as of 2026-10-07.
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