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Early Childhood Education

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IMPORTANT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION UPDATE!

EFFECTIVE 07/10/2026:
Due to a high volume of applications, CAC has stopped taking ECE applications for the 26/27 School year until further notice. Please check our website regularly for updates. Thank you!

Our Program Offers

  • Full-day, year-round high-quality education, including before and after care and summer programming for eligible families.
  • Early Head Start, Head Start, MSDE Prekindergarten, and tuition based programming to income eligible children and their families.
  • Hearing, vision, and dental screenings.
  • Intervention services for children.
  • Family-Centered support services.
  • Family engagement services and events.
  • Access to energy and housing assistance (for those meeting eligibility requirements).
  • Access to the Howard County Food Bank.

Are you an HCC student looking for Early Childhood Education?

Click here to visit the Children's Learning Center at HCC!

Enrollment Information

Applications accepted all year. Enrollment is currently open for the 26-27 School Year. 

Income Eligibility Guidelines:

  • Early Head Start: Serves children birth through 36 months of age. Early Head Start eligibility is based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).  Families must earn below the income guidelines for their household size. Review income guidelines here: Poverty Guidelines | ASPE. Families also can qualify if they receive public assistance (SNAP,TANF, SSI), are experiencing homelessness, or if the child is in foster care.  
  • Head Start: Serves children ages 3-4. Head Start eligibility is based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).  Families must be below the income guidelines for their household size. Review income guidelines here: Poverty Guidelines | ASPE. Families also can qualify if they receive public assistance (SNAP, TANF, SSI), are experiencing homelessness, or if the child is in foster care. 
  • MSDE PreK: Serves children ages 4-5. MSDE PreK eligibility serves families up to 300% FPG for their household size. Review MSDE PreK income guidelines here: Pre-K Income Eligibility Guidelines – HCPSS. Families who earn between 300- 600% FPG for their household size may be eligible if their child is a multilingual learner or has an IEP. 

Classroom and program availability varies by location. Upon application, families will be evaluated for program eligibility.

School Documents

Please Follow Instructions Carefully. Enrolling is a 2-Step Process.  To Enroll Your Child, You Will Need the Following:

Child’s Proof of Age (Birth Certificate or Passport)
Income Verification for the previous 12 months (W-2 or 1040 Form or Pay Stubs or Supplemental Security Income or Temporary Cash Assistance benefit statement letter)
Proof of residency in Howard County (Lease or utility bill with your name listed on it and dated within the last 30 days)
Will you be able to provide all the documentation listed above?

Non-Discrimination Statement

Logos displaying our accreditations with Maryland Department of Education, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Head Start Association, and Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating of 5.