KCAO Head Start and Early Childhood Education Programs

KCAO Head Start and Early Childhood Education Programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships, the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), and General Child Care and Development (CCTR). These programs deliver services to children and families in early learning, health, and family well-being, and welcome children with disabilities. KCAO’s Head Start programs include educational services, dental and health screening, and healthy meals for all enrolled children.

• Ages: Birth–5 years old
• Schedule: Regional Head Start and Early Head Start typically operate August–May; Migrant and Seasonal Head Start typically operates March–November; Early Head Start is a 12-month home-based program

Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO), the agency operating these programs, is a private, non-profit organization established in 1965 pursuant to the Economic Opportunities Act of 1964 and has been active since 1965. KCAO’s mission is to work as a team to seek and provide programs that develop self-sufficiency in individuals, families, and communities within Kings County. KCAO’s Head Start free programs are for children 0–5 years old and prenatal women, and Early Head Start is a 12-month home-based program that provides family-centered services to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. Regional Head Start is a center-based program following the normal school year for children 3–5 years of age, while Migrant and Seasonal Head Start provides all-day services for children 0–5 years old in families whose agricultural income is at least 51% of their total income.

Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships increase access to high-quality, full-day, full-year child care, including family child care, for parents who are working or going to school. The California State Preschool Program (CSPP) offers part-day and full-day services and a blended option that combines Head Start and CSPP to extend part-day services for 3- and 4-year-olds. General Child Care and Development (CCTR) provides center-based child development services for infants and toddlers from birth through 36 months. KCAO is transitioning to a more efficient online application process for Head Start and Child Care programs.

KCAO is the federally designated anti-poverty agency for Kings County and conducts community-wide needs assessments, comprehensive anti-poverty strategies, a broad range of direct services, mobilization of financial and non-financial resources, advocacy on behalf of low-income people, and partnerships with other organizations. KCAO develops its Community Action Plan through public forums, surveys, secondary data, and partnerships with local nonprofit and government agencies. KCAO celebrates Reading Across America Week by inviting staff and community volunteers to read to preschool children and partners with community organizations and businesses for fundraisers, including Nothing Bundt Cakes, the Fresno Grizzlies, and local leaders and business partners through events such as the Monte Carlo Casino Night Fundraiser. The website for these programs is supported by Grant Number 09CH012781 and 90CM009870 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which provided financial support totaling $4,246.81 and covering 30.05% of the total costs. Jeff Garner serves as the Executive Director of KCAO.

Last updated August 8, 2026.