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 offer educational services, dental and health screening, and healthy meals for children, including children with disabilities. Head Start delivers services to children and families in early learning, health, and family well-being while engaging parents as partners.

• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: Regional Head Start and Early Head Start typically run August–May; Migrant and Seasonal Head Start typically runs March–November
• Price: Head Start programs are free for children 0–5 years old and prenatal women

Kings Community Action Organization (KCAO), the agency operating these programs, was established in 1965 pursuant to the Economic Opportunities Act of 1964. KCAO’s Head Start is a comprehensive early education program for children from at-risk backgrounds from birth to age 5, and all Head Start program options welcome children with disabilities. Early Head Start is a 12-month home-based program that provides family-centered services to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers, while 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. 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. The California State Preschool Program (CSPP) offers part-day and full-day services and a blended option that combines Head Start and California State Preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, and General Child Care and Development (CCTR) provides center-based child development services for infants and toddlers from birth through 36 months.

KCAO is the federally designated anti-poverty agency for Kings County and conducts community-wide needs assessments, comprehensive anti-poverty strategies, and a broad range of direct services. KCAO’s Head Start offers comprehensive support for children and families in Kings County and has service sites in multiple Kings County communities. KCAO celebrates Reading Across America Week by inviting staff and community volunteers into classrooms to read to preschool children, and its Community Action Plan is supported by partnerships with local nonprofit and government agencies. The Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative (CVIIC) will host an immigration workshop at the KCAO Auditorium. The KCAO website is supported by Grant Number 09CH012781 and 90CM009870 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which provided 30.05% of the total website costs, totaling $4,246.81. KCAO is transitioning to a more efficient online application process for Head Start and Child Care programs, and an Eligibility Technician will be in contact within 10 business days to confirm a Head Start application. The organization’s mission statement is: “Working as a team, KCAO will seek and provide programs that develop self-sufficiency in individuals, families, and communities within Kings County.” The Executive Director is Jeff Garner.

Last updated May 13, 2026.