Toni joined the Y team knowing the Head Start program's focus on early childhood education and parent involvement would provide an opportunity for her to use her skills.Enrollment Eligibility
Enrollment is open to all families who qualify for services. Certain criteria determine which families have the highest priority for placement in state and federally funded programs. In order to qualify for full-day services, parents must verify that they are in training, school or working.
All Head Start and subsidized child care and development programs have a criteria that must be met by all families and children enrolled. See the criteria by program listed below.
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, in order to be enrolled in any full day or full year program all adults counted in the family size must have a documented need for child care services for the days and hours of enrollment in the child care portion of the program. Documentation verifying need for care, employment /training or school hours must be received prior to program enrollment.
If your family participates in a full day child development program, it is your responsibility to notify the Y of any changes in family income, family size, or reason for needing child care (including changes in the adult’s training/work schedule of school/ employer) during the year. Documentation will be requested to verify these changes and the child’s service hours will be reduced or expanded based on current status. Evaluation of your family’s eligibility and need for subsidized child care services will be made annually.Should changes occur affecting eligibility or need for care in any State-funded program requires a Notice of Action form given to parents at least 14 days in advance of the effective date of the change (or mailed to parents at least 19 days in advance of the effective date of the change).
For some programs, re-enrollment is required annually. This means you may have to re-apply, bringing proof of income, employment and/or school in order to remain in the program. Any change in family income, family size, marital status, work/school, or anything affecting eligibility, must be reported immediately. Health and TB clearances are also required to be submitted on a regular basis, depending on your child’s age. It is your responsibility to provide the program with updated information. Please notify the family advocate for your center if there are any changes in your family status. Inaccurate information or failure to report changes may result in termination of program services.
There are NO fees for Head Start, Early Head Start or State Preschool services if the family meets the income or other eligibility requirement. State subsidized child care has a family fee scale based on your income and family size.
Contact Us About Enrolling
YMCA Early Childhood Services
2009 10th Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
P 510 848 9092
Administrative Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
