Project NOW Head Start

A Strong Start for Your Child. Support for Your Whole Family.

Project NOW Head Start provides no-cost preschool and family support for eligible families with children ages 3–5.

Your child gets a safe, engaging place to learn, grow, build relationships, and prepare for kindergarten — while your family gains a team committed to helping you reach your goals.

Apply Online
Aplicar en Español
MORE THAN PRESCHOOL

Support That Surrounds Your Whole Family

Head Start combines early childhood education with support designed to help children and families grow, thrive, and reach their goals.

Head Start Learning

LEARNING

Building skills, confidence and curiosity through play and exploration.

Head Start Wellness

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Supporting healthy development through screenings, nutrition and wellness.

Head Start Family

FAMILY GOALS

Partnering with families to identify strengths, needs and goals.

Head Start Development

DEVELOPMENT

Supporting each child’s social, emotional, physical and developmental growth.

Head Start Parent Support

PARENT SUPPORT

Helping parents and caregivers be active partners in their child’s learning.

Head Start Community Resources

COMMUNITY RESOURCE

Connecting families with Project NOW programs and other community supports.

FOR YOUR CHILD

Everything They Need to Learn, Grow & Thrive

From the classroom to the lunch table, Head Start supports the many parts of your child’s development — helping them build the skills, confidence, relationships, and healthy habits they need for kindergarten and beyond.

Children learn best when they’re engaged, curious, and having fun. Head Start classrooms provide hands-on learning experiences that help children build the skills they’ll need for kindergarten and beyond.

Through play, stories, music, art, movement, and classroom activities, children strengthen early skills in:

  • Language and literacy
  • Math and problem solving
  • Creativity and curiosity
  • Communication
  • Independence and classroom routines

Every day is an opportunity to explore, discover, and grow.

Being ready to learn starts with being healthy. Head Start works with families to support each child’s physical health, nutrition, and overall development.

Children receive nutritious meals and snacks during their Head Start day, while families receive support in making sure important health and developmental needs are identified.

Support may include:

  • Nutritious meals and snacks
  • Hearing and vision screenings
  • Dental and health screenings
  • Developmental screenings
  • Connections to health and dental resources
  • Support establishing healthy routines

Healthy children are better prepared to learn, play, and grow.

Preschool is about more than ABCs and numbers. It’s also where children learn how to be part of a classroom and build relationships with others.

Head Start gives children a supportive environment where they can practice important social and emotional skills, including:

  • Making friends and building relationships
  • Sharing and taking turns
  • Expressing feelings and needs
  • Managing emotions and frustration
  • Following routines and directions
  • Building confidence and independence

Teachers help children feel safe, supported, and ready to become part of a larger school community.

We’re preparing children not only for kindergarten — but for everything that comes with it.

Every child enters the classroom with different strengths, experiences, interests, and needs. Head Start works with families to understand where each child is developmentally and help them continue moving forward.

Teachers and families work together to follow children’s progress, celebrate their strengths, and identify areas where additional support may be helpful.

This includes:

  • Developmental screenings and ongoing observation
  • Learning experiences based on each child’s needs
  • Regular communication with parents and caregivers
  • Support for children with disabilities or developmental needs
  • Connections to additional services when needed

Children with disabilities and special needs are welcomed and included in the Head Start classroom experience.

We meet children where they are — and help them take their next step forward.

FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Head Start Supports Parents, Too.

Head Start recognizes that a child’s success is connected to the strength and stability of their family.

That’s why our work doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Families partner with Head Start staff to identify strengths, talk about challenges, set goals, and connect with resources that can help — both during Head Start and beyond.

WHOLE FAMILY SUPPORT

208

Families Served

99%

of Students Completed all Health Requirements

90%

of Students Completed all Required Developmental & Educational Screenings

75,000

Nutritious Meals Served

  • Family Partnership
    Set goals, identify strengths, and work through challenges alongside Head Start staff.
  • Parent & Caregiver Support
    Build knowledge and confidence to support your child’s learning and development.
  • Goals & Opportunities
    Connect with resources that support education, employment, stability, and family goals.
  • Community Connections
    Get help navigating Project NOW programs and other resources when additional needs arise.
IS HEAD START RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?

Your Family May Qualify for Head Start

Head Start is provided at no cost to eligible families. If any of the following sounds like your family, we encourage you to apply.

Household Identification
Children ages 3-5

Project NOW Head Start serves preschool-aged children ages 3–5, including children with disabilities or other special needs.

Household Income
your family may qualify

Eligibility may be based on family income or circumstances such as receiving SNAP, TANF or SSI, experiencing homelessness, or having a child in foster care.

Utility Bills & Lease Information
YOU LIVE IN OUR SERVICE AREA

Project NOW Head Start serves eligible families in Henry Counties and portions of Rock Island County.

Not sure if your family qualifies? That’s okay.
Eligibility can depend on several factors. Our Head Start team can help determine whether your child qualifies.

Apply Online
Aplicar en Español

Prefer a printable application?
[English PDF] · [Spanish PDF]

Why IT MATTERS

A STRONG START BUILDS A STRONG FOUNDATION

The early years help shape how children learn, build relationships, solve problems, and see themselves as learners. Head Start helps children build the skills and confidence they need for kindergarten — and for what comes next.

1
Building School Readiness

Head Start helps children develop early language, literacy, math, problem-solving, and classroom skills through hands-on learning and play.

2
Growing Confidence & Relationships

Children learn how to make friends, communicate their needs, manage emotions, follow routines, and become confident members of a classroom community.

3
Creating a Stronger Foundation

By supporting children’s learning, health, development, and family stability together, Head Start helps create a stronger foundation for success in school and beyond.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions about Head Start?

Choosing a preschool is a big decision. Here are answers to some of the questions families commonly have about Project NOW Head Start.

Yes. Head Start is provided at no cost to eligible children and families. There is no tuition for your child to participate.

Project NOW Head Start serves preschool-aged children ages 3–5. Our Head Start team can help you determine whether your child meets the age requirements for enrollment.

Income is one way families may qualify, but it isn’t the only factor considered. Families may also qualify based on certain circumstances or benefits they receive. If you’re unsure whether your family is eligible, we encourage you to apply and let our Head Start team help determine eligibility.

Project NOW currently states that Head Start accepts applications year-round. Children may be enrolled as openings become available.

Head Start provides six hours of classroom programming each weekday, Monday through Friday. Depending on the classroom, the schedule is either 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Each classroom follows a set schedule.

No. Children do not need to be potty trained to enroll in Head Start. Staff will work with your family to support your child’s individual toileting needs and development.

Yes. Children with disabilities and other special needs are welcomed and included in Head Start. Staff work with families and community partners to support each child’s individual development and participation in the classroom.

Yes. Children receive nutritious meals and snacks during their Head Start day. Lunch is served family-style, allowing children to eat together and practice serving themselves with support from classroom staff.

Project NOW operates Head Start classrooms at multiple locations throughout our service area.

No. Head Start does not currently provide transportation.

Parents or guardians are responsible for drop-off and pick-up through our secure process, which also gives staff an opportunity to connect with each child and family daily.

You will need documentation of household income, such as:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • child-support records
  • Wage and Tax Statement (W-2)
  • and/or six months of pay stubs

If a parent or guardian is unemployed, staff can help complete the required unemployment form.

A Head Start staff member will contact you using the phone number provided on your application to discuss the next steps. Please make sure your contact information is current and accurate.

Yes. Children may be enrolled in Head Start while also receiving services through other eligible programs. Head Start staff can help coordinate support based on your child’s individual needs.

NEED A LITTLE HELP?

We’re Here to Help Your Family
Get Started.

Have questions about Head Start, eligibility, classroom locations, or the application process? Our Head Start team is here to help.

Apply Online Aplicar en Español Call Head Start

Not sure if your child qualifies? Reach out.
We’ll help you understand your options and determine the next step.

OUR FUNDING PARTNERS

Made Possible Through Partnership

Project NOW Head Start is made possible through federal funding and partnerships that support high-quality early childhood education and whole-family services for children and families in our community.

This website is supported by Grant # 05CH013535 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 Project NOW Head Start do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.