Every Child Deserves a Head Start!


Thank you for your interest in the YMCA of the East Bay Early Childhood Impact (ECI) programs. Our programs utilize a variety of funding sources, including federal and state, to provide the highest quality of care. Services are made possible through contracts from Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS), California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the California Department of Education (CDE), Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD). We serve families with the greatest needs first. We embrace diversity and welcome children of all abilities.

Our infant/toddler program is designed to benefit pregnant women and children from birth to age 3 who may need assistance. The program is designed to effectively respond to the unique needs of each child and family and to ensure that children who are qualified receive services. We work together with families to enhance children's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. We help parents meet their personal goals and enable them to be better caregivers and teachers to their children.

Our preschool program provides children ages 3 to 5 years old with high quality services designed to foster healthy development. Serving low-income children and their families in Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento and Yolo counties, this comprehensive child development program provides health, nutrition, educational, social and emotional support. We work closely with children and their families to promote school-readiness and self-sufficiency.

All Early Childhood Impact (ECI) programs provide:
- Warm, safe, and nurturing environments for young children
- Highly qualified staff with caring and supportive attitudes
- Opportunities for families to participate in leadership and policy-making groups, make friends and build communities
- Services that are respectful, comprehensive, and designed to meet the needs of children, families and the community

Enrollment Details:
Enrollment is open to all families who qualify for services. Certain criteria determine which families have the highest priority for placement.

Check your eligibility by filling out the application below and choosing the location(s) suited for your convenience
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, all adults in your family must have a documented need for child care services in order to be enrolled in full-day or full-year programs. Documentation verifying need for care (employment or seeking employment/training or school/parental incapacitation/seeking housing) hours must be received prior to enrollment.

Cost:
There are no fees for Head Start, Early Head Start or part-day/part-year preschool. CDE/CDSS services may have a family fee scale based on your income and family size.

Documentation:
You should have supporting documentation readily available for upload. Providing supporting documentation at the time of the application provides verification of your eligibility and can make the enrollment process easier. Examples of supporting documentation families should provide with their application:
• Proof of all income received for ALL adults in the household: 30 days of paystubs for employment income, proof of cash-aid, SSI/SSA, unemployment, child support, financial aid, recent tax return, etc.
• Proof of Cal-Fresh received, if applicable.
• Proof of residence: Recent utility bill, bank/credit card statements, car registration, ID showing current address, etc
• Proof of any other special circumstance: homelessness, CPS referral, other agency referral, foster, IEP/IFSP
• Birth certificate of all children under 18 years old in the household
• Immunization records for applicant child
• Medical insurance card

You will be contacted if your application is incomplete or is missing supporting documentation.

If you have questions or need support, please contact the Enrollment Department at enroll@ymcaeastbay.org or 510-848-9092 (Alameda County) or 510-412-5647 (Contra Costa, Yolo and Sacramento Counties).

Parent/Guardian

Address

Click here to find a provider in your area.

Additional Parent/Guardian

Other Adults

Are there other adults in the household?

Add Another Adult

Family Information

  • Number in Household: consist of members who live in the same house that may or may not be related. (grandparents, uncles, aunts)

  • Number in Family: Should only include persons living in the household who are supported by the income of applicant child's parent or guardian and related to the parent by blood, marriage or adoption.

  • Gross Annual Income: All monies received is considered countable. Total gross annual income should include all adults over 18 years old that is part of the family size.

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): also known as CalWorks or Cash Aid, Cal-Fresh or Food Stamps.

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Only the program to assist low-income individuals, including those who are disabled, blind or 65 and over. Does not include disability insurance payments and survivor benefits.

Emergency Contacts

Child (Applicant)

If your child has special needs, diagnosed disability or has an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), please indicate it in the comments section below. If you were referred to our program, please indicate in the comments section and include who referred you.

Location Preferences
- Your Address - Available Locations
Click a location on the map to see more info
Click here to find a provider in your area.

Additional Applicant

Do you want to apply now for another child in your family?

Add Another Applicant

Siblings

Are there other children in the family?

Add a Sibling
By clicking submit, I certify information contained in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. No false or misleading statements have been made. The acceptance of this application does NOT guarantee services or placement. Further, I authorize the YMCA to share information with HS/EHS partners to support enrollment.

On the next page, the first screen of the document upload page will appear. If you're unable to upload documents at this time, please continue to fill out all the fields requested and finish the submission without attaching any document.
Required information is missing, see above.