Head Start and Early Head Start in Independence, MO

8 open Head Start and Early Head Start locations in Independence, from the federal Office of Head Start.

Head Start

Hanthorn

1511 S Kings Hwy, Independence, MO 64055

Run by Independence School District

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 and Early Head Start

Render's Hope

1316 S Osage St, Independence, MO 64055

Run by Mid America Regional Council

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

Head Start

William Southern

4300 S Phelps Rd, Independence, MO 64055

Run by Independence School District

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

Also in Independence

Licensed child care and after-school programs in Independence · Youth nonprofits in Independence · Missouri program 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 The information is reported by each Head Start grant recipient and can be out of date, so call the center to confirm its address, hours and openings.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.