Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission Head Start & Early Head Start
Marion County Head Start Office, 372 E Center St, Marion, OH 43302
About
Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission Head Start & Early Head Start offers free, developmentally appropriate preschool, early education, and socialization services for low-income children and their families. The program provides Head Start and Early Head Start services in licensed child care facilities that have a 5 star Step Up To Quality rating, with full-day and half-day classroom options and small group sizes.
• Ages: Birth–5 years old
• Schedule: Office typically open Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm; closed Saturdays, Sundays, and most holidays
The Commission was established in accordance with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and has been in operation since November 16, 1965. The overall goal of the Commission is to help low-income persons break the cycle of poverty and better their economic situation. OHCAC serves the community by offering the Head Start Program, which includes Early Head Start and Head Start.
Head Start is a free preschool and early education and socialization program for low-income children ages birth to five years old and their families, and the Head Start program typically serves children ages 3–5 years old. Children on IEPs, IFSPs, and in kinship or foster care are not subject to income guidelines. OHCAC uses Head Start programs to provide services to children and their families in early learning, health, and family well-being, and OHCAC Head Start programs prepare Central Ohio’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school. OHCAC offers full-day and half-day programs with 20 children per Head Start classroom. Children receive a nutritious, balanced, USDA-approved breakfast, lunch, and snack that meets at least one-third of their daily nutritional need.
Early Head Start programs are intended to foster positive parent-child and child-caregiver relationships. From pregnancy until a child’s third birthday, Early Head Start services cover the whole spectrum of a family’s requirements. Early Head Start offers low-income babies, toddlers, pregnant women, and their families intensive child development and family support services. Early Head Start is a full-day, year-round program with 8 children per classroom and 2 teachers, and the center-based option is available in Bucyrus, Marion, Mt. Gilead, and Mansfield. Early Head Start infants are provided formula, or parents may provide breast milk.
Services are offered in licensed child care facilities with a 5 star Step Up To Quality rating, and this institution is an equal opportunity provider. Parents have shared that their children became more socially involved, more self-reliant, and more willing to try a wide range of meals, and that teachers had a strong positive impact on their children’s interest in learning.
Last updated June 30, 2026.
• Ages: Birth–5 years old
• Schedule: Office typically open Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm; closed Saturdays, Sundays, and most holidays
The Commission was established in accordance with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and has been in operation since November 16, 1965. The overall goal of the Commission is to help low-income persons break the cycle of poverty and better their economic situation. OHCAC serves the community by offering the Head Start Program, which includes Early Head Start and Head Start.
Head Start is a free preschool and early education and socialization program for low-income children ages birth to five years old and their families, and the Head Start program typically serves children ages 3–5 years old. Children on IEPs, IFSPs, and in kinship or foster care are not subject to income guidelines. OHCAC uses Head Start programs to provide services to children and their families in early learning, health, and family well-being, and OHCAC Head Start programs prepare Central Ohio’s most vulnerable young children to succeed in school and in life beyond school. OHCAC offers full-day and half-day programs with 20 children per Head Start classroom. Children receive a nutritious, balanced, USDA-approved breakfast, lunch, and snack that meets at least one-third of their daily nutritional need.
Early Head Start programs are intended to foster positive parent-child and child-caregiver relationships. From pregnancy until a child’s third birthday, Early Head Start services cover the whole spectrum of a family’s requirements. Early Head Start offers low-income babies, toddlers, pregnant women, and their families intensive child development and family support services. Early Head Start is a full-day, year-round program with 8 children per classroom and 2 teachers, and the center-based option is available in Bucyrus, Marion, Mt. Gilead, and Mansfield. Early Head Start infants are provided formula, or parents may provide breast milk.
Services are offered in licensed child care facilities with a 5 star Step Up To Quality rating, and this institution is an equal opportunity provider. Parents have shared that their children became more socially involved, more self-reliant, and more willing to try a wide range of meals, and that teachers had a strong positive impact on their children’s interest in learning.
Last updated June 30, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.