Portage Learning Centers Head Start and Early Head Start
Garrettsville Community Center, 145 North Chestnut St, Lower Level, Lower Level, OH 44266
About
Portage Learning Centers Head Start and Early Head Start offers Head Start Preschool for children ages three to five who are not kindergarten eligible. Early Head Start serves infants, toddlers, pregnant women, and children from birth to age 5. The program includes home visits, classroom activities, and meals and snacks for all participants.
Programs
- Head Start Preschool — ages three to five years old and not kindergarten eligible · No-cost preschool for income-eligible children.
- Early Head Start — infants, toddlers, and pregnant women; ages birth to 5 · No-cost early education program. Served in a home-based program; a center-based program is also provided at the Kent and Ravenna locations.
- Home-Based Programs — children ages 0 to 5 · Home-based opportunities for children ages 0 to 5.
At a glance
- Ages: 0–5 years old
- General schedule: Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start are federally funded programs. The program provides comprehensive services and includes home visits and classroom activities. Meals/Snacks are provided for all participants.
- Facility hours: Monday–Thursday 8 am–4 pm; Friday 8 am–12 pm
About the provider
Portage Learning Centers was incorporated in 1983. It was awarded the State and Federal Head Start programs for Portage County in 1997 and the Federal Early Head Start program in 2010. The organization states that all centers have received the Ohio Step Up to Quality Gold Award. Families are encouraged to take part in home visits, classroom activities, and program and policy decisions, and the policy council connects parent committees, Portage Learning Centers, public and private organizations, and the community.
Head Start and Early Head Start are income-based programs. Families receiving SNAP benefits and Homeless and Foster Children are automatically eligible. Twelve months of documented income must be provided, and proof of age is required for child applicants. Pregnant women do not need to provide proof of age or prove pregnancy. The organization states that it does not discriminate.
What families say
“The best transportation coordinator ever, Shari Farmer has a heart of gold!” — Streetsboro Parent Fave
“Johnna is amazing!” — Kristal Ruggles
“Great Early Start at Atwater Ms. Boston is amazing! My now 5-year-old Waterloo kindergartener was with Jessica for 2 years before kindergarten at the Atwater location.” — Jazmine Fahlsing
Last updated October 11, 2026.
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