UNR Early Head Start Program

Early Head Start is a comprehensive child development program serving poverty-level pregnant women and families with children aged 0-3.

Program Options

Home Visiting

The home visiting program consists of one 1-1/2 hour home visit per week by a certified parent-child educator. Home visitors use the Parents As Teachers curriculum and home-based services include referrals, developmental screenings, nutrition assessments, health screenings, parent engagement activities, and much more to highlight the importance of parents as a child's first educator. Additionally, families enrolled in home-based education services are given priority for child care vacancies if work or school requirements are met.

Center-Based Child Care

Early Head Start has a full-day, full year child care program that is free of cost for low income families with children under the age of 3. Early Head Start's four child care centers operate Monday-Friday, from 7:30am to 5:30pm. In addition to quality child care, Early Head Start provides referrals for parents, conducts developmental, nutrition, and health screenings to monitor development of children, holds monthly parent engagement activities, and provides meals and diapers for children while at the center. To qualify for center-based child care, all adults in the home must be working or attending school full-time.

WCSD Combination Program

Early Head Start and Washoe County School District have partnered to provide child care at Wooster High School and Innovations High School for parents attending high school. This program consists of center-based child care, with 3 months of home visiting services provided when school is out of session.

Online Application

Aplicaciones en linea

To qualify for the Early Head Start program families must fall below the federal income guidelines and either be pregnant or have a child under the age of 3.

Complete applications should include:

Proof of age for your child such as: birth certificate, birth confirmation or immunization record.
Proof of pregnancy if you would like to enroll prenatally- For example, doctor's note, prenatal appointment summary, or ultrasound copy that includes your name, doctor's name, and date/weeks of gestation.
Income Documentation such as:
- Award letter for SNAP, SSI or TANF if anyone in the family is receiving benefits (automatic qualification)
- Or Placement letter for foster care (automatic qualification)
- Or Letter of support if considered homeless/transitional housing/doubled up with another family (automatic qualification)
- Or 2023 W2’s or 2023 taxes (tax form 1040 is preferred)

UNR Early Head Start Program contact information:
Main #: (775) 432-2090
Fax #: (775) 236-1794
Email: EarlyHeadStart@unr.edu
Main address: 786 W. 6th St. Reno, NV 89503

Please call ahead regarding donations.

UNR Early Head Start Program

Qualifications and Application Process