Head Start
Hanthorn
1511 S Kings Hwy, Independence, MO 64055
Run by Independence School District
Head Start centers / Missouri / Independence
Head Start and Early Head Start
Render's Hope
A Head Start and Early Head Start center in Independence, Missouri, run by Mid America Regional Council.
Center details
Program: Head Start and Early Head Start
Ages served: Early Head Start: pregnant women, babies and toddlers under 3; Head Start: children ages 3 to 5
Address: 1316 S Osage St, Independence, MO 64055
County: Jackson
Run by: Mid America Regional Council, Kansas City, MO
Federal grant ID (for reference): 07CH012381
Funded seats at this site: Head Start: 15; Early Head Start: 29. These are total funded seats, not how many are open.
Phone: (816) 337-7950
To apply, call: (816) 841-3382
Every Head Start program must meet federal quality rules for early learning, health and family support. When you call, ask: How do I apply and what documents do I bring? Is there a waitlist? Is the day full or part? Is there transportation?
Who can enroll
Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5 (ask the center about its birthday cutoff date). Early Head Start serves pregnant women, babies and toddlers under 3. Both are free for families who qualify.
Families usually qualify when household income is at or below the federal poverty guideline for their family size, or when the family gets public assistance such as TANF or SSI, the child is in foster care, or the family is experiencing homelessness. Programs may also enroll some children from families just above the guideline, and each program sets its own application steps and waitlist, so ask the center.
Official HHS poverty guidelines (current year) · Head Start's own center locator
More Head Start locations in Independence
Head Start
Korte
2437 S Hardy Ave, Independence, MO 64052
Run by Independence School District
Head Start
Mill Creek
2601 N Liberty St, Independence, MO 64050
Run by Independence School District
Head Start
Santa Fe Trail Elementary
1301 Windsor St, Independence, MO 64055
Run by Mid America Regional Council
Early Head Start
Sunshine Center
18400 E Salisbury Rd, Independence, MO 64056
Run by Independence School District
Early Head Start
Truman High School
3301 S Noland Rd, Independence, MO 64055
Run by Mid America Regional Council
Other options near Independence
Licensed child care and after-school programs in Independence · Missouri child care rules
Source: Head Start Service Location Dataset, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start (CSV file), file dated November 8, 2026. The information is reported by each Head Start grant recipient and can be out of date, so call the center to confirm its address, hours and openings. Locations the program lists as closed are left out. Home-based locations show city and ZIP code only. A listing is not an endorsement.
Something wrong? Head Start centers update their own records with the Office of Head Start; you can also tell us and we'll fix or remove this page.