KCAO Head Start and Early Childhood Education Programs

KCAO Head Start and Early Childhood Education Programs includes activities such as celebrating Reading Across America Week by inviting staff and community volunteers into the classroom to read to preschool children. The programs include Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships, the California State Preschool Program, and General Child Care and Development. Head Start 2024–2025 includes educational services, dental and health screening, and healthy meals for all enrolled children, including children with disabilities.

• Ages: Birth–5 years old
• Schedule: Regional Head Start and Early Head Start typically run August–May; Migrant and Seasonal Head Start typically runs March–November; Early Head Start home-based services run 12 months

Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO), which operates these programs, was established in 1965 as a private, non-profit organization pursuant to the Economic Opportunities Act of 1964 and is the federally designated anti-poverty agency for Kings County. KCAO’s mission is: “Working as a team, KCAO will seek and provide programs that develop self-sufficiency in individuals, families, and communities within Kings County.” The organization has service sites in Armona, Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, Home Garden, Kettleman City, Lemoore, and Stratford, and the leadership team includes Executive Director Jeff Garner.

Head Start is a comprehensive early education program for children from at-risk backgrounds from birth to age 5 and delivers services in early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners. All Head Start program options welcome children with disabilities, and Head Start offers free programs for children 0–5 years old and prenatal women. Early Head Start is a 12-month home-based program that provides family-centered services to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers, and Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships increases access to high-quality, full-day, full-year child care, including family child care, for parents who are working or going to school. Migrant and Seasonal Head Start provides all-day services for children ages 0–5 years when at least 51% of the family’s total income is from agricultural work. Regional Head Start is a center-based program that follows the normal school year for children 3–5 years of age. The California State Preschool Program provides part-day and full-day services, plus a blended option that combines Head Start and California State Preschool 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’s community involvement includes celebrating Reading Across America Week with staff and community volunteers reading to preschool children and developing a Community Action Plan through partnerships with local nonprofit and government agencies. Community partners listed include Southern California Edison, OCPSC, Kings United Way, Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance, California Health Collaborative, and the KITT Project. 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, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Last updated May 10, 2026.