How to Become a Provider

Thank you for your interest in the Early Head Start Program. We are so glad that you would like to be part of the Early Head Start experience. Currently, all of our Early Head Start slots have been awarded to our child care partners. If you would like to be considered for any future opportunities, please complete the information in the link below:

Early Head Start Partner Application Link

Early Head Start is currently serving these ZIP codes:

If you are not located in one of the above ZIP codes, we encourage you to still apply in case future opportunities to serve your ZIP code become available.

Things to Know About Being an Early Head Start Provider

• Early Head Start hours are 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  A childcare provider must offer services until 6:00 p.m. for children who are enrolled in Early Head Start and School Readiness.
• To promote continuity of care, teachers are assigned as the primary caregiver of no more than four children.  The children remain with their caregivers for the duration of their enrollment.
• Programs must provide at least 240 days of service a year.
• The maximum number of children per classroom is 8 children.
• Each classroom must be staffed with two (2) teachers.
• Two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences are completed a year.
• Classroom must be at least 35 sq. ft. of usable space per child.
• Outside space must be at least 75 sq. ft. per child.
• Each classroom must have a sink.
• Cots and cribs must be 36 inches apart (all around).
• Each center will have a Health and Safety Screener completed within 45 days of the school year starting.
• A compliance checklist is conducted annually in March.
• Ongoing monitoring is done at each site to ensure compliance with federal regulations and contractual obligations.
• Technical Assistance is done on an ongoing basis.
• The Classroom Assessment scoring system is used to measure teacher-child interactions.
• Facility must meet American Disability Association (ADA) requirements.
• Children are not required to wear uniforms.
• Child care partner is responsible for providing diapers, pull-ups, and wipes while children are in Early Head Start care.
• At least one staff must speak the predominant language of the children.
• Teachers must have a minimum of a National Child Development Associate, a physical, level II background, and meet all licensing requirements.
• At least ten percent (10%) of the Early Head Start slots will be reserved for children who are diagnosed with a special need.
• The child care partner must be participating in the USDA Child Care Food Program.

Federal Regulations

Head Start Program Performance Standards

Public Law 110-134 ‘Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 (a.k.a. Head Start Act)

Fiscal Regulations

Program Instructions

Information Memorandum

Early Head Start Policies and Procedures

Click here to go to the Provider Portal

Early Head Start Forms

Click here to go to the Provider Portal

Early Head Start Professional Development Days

October 25, 2024 and April 25, 2025

Home Visits

Janaury 17, 2025 and July 31, 2025

Early Head Start Provider Meeting Information

Meetings are held every 2nd Thursday of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. See Provider Portal for meeting locations.

Center & Contact Information

This website's Early Head Start pages are supported by Grant Number 04HP000569 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. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.