Head Start

FREE community focused early learning program for low-income families of Lewis County.

Head Start

Head start is a FREE preschool for eligible Lewis County families. We are a federally funded, community-based early learning program serving low-income, at-risk children ages three to five. We have centers in Centralia, Chehalis, Salkum, and Toledo. Founded in 1984, Reliable Enterprises Head Start program is a time-tested early learning program with a track record of success for you and your children. 

We are a quality pre-school program that offers school readiness reports, parent education, and family resources & referrals. Our comprehensive program will enhance and develop your child’s social, emotional, and school readiness skills through partnerships between the home, community, and school. 

Reliable Enterprises is excited to launch Ryan’s House that provides foster care for teens, ages 13-18. In partnership with Anderson House, our foster homes can keep all siblings together instead of separating teens from their younger siblings. It is named in memory of Ryan Vinatieri, the son of long time board member Mike who passed away in 2020. We honor his legacy of giving to the community and caring for children at Ryan’s House.

After purchasing the home for Ryan’s House in 2019, Reliable Enterprises completely transformed the property to create a one of a kind facility designed perfectly for children and teens. 

Check out the video of the home transformation below!

Newest Project - Ryan's House

Learn More

For questions about the program contact Dallas Smith, Early Learning Programs Director (360) 736-1696 x123.

You may also email info@reliableenterprises.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Head Start is free to qualifying families. If you are not sure you qualify, we encourage all families to apply anyways as there are several avenues to assess eligibility. 

You must apply to find out. Eligibility is determined primarily through income, homelessness, or eligibility for other services such as TANF, disability, or SSI

Nope. Your child does not need to be potty trained. 

Nope. Head Start is a comprehensive early learning program that serves families of children ages three to five, to increase school readiness.

At Head Start, we believe parents are a child’s first teacher. You may choose to volunteer or participate in parent committees, the Policy Council, self-assessment, or center activities.

Yes, students receive high quality, farm to table meals and snacks while attending our program.

It depends on the center where your child will attend. We currently have four and seven hour class days. 

We uses creative curriculum which includes developmentally appropriate goals and objectives for children within four main categories of interest: social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language

We’re so glad you would like to apply. You can complete our online application here: https://bit.ly/3kJbGGq 

Locations

Administration Office

  • Phone: (360) 736-1696
  • Fax: (360) 736-0090
  • Address: 203 W Reynolds Ave, Centralia WA
  • Mailing: PO Box 870, Centralia WA 98531

Centralia East

  • Phone: (360) 669-5236
  • Fax: (360) 736-0090
  • Address: 2502 Seward Ave, Centralia WA
  • Mailing: P. O. Box 870, Centralia, WA 98531

Centralia West

  • Phone: (360) 807-4813
  • Fax: (360) 736-0090
  • Address: 701 Pioneer Way, Centralia WA
  • Mailing: P. O. Box 870, Centralia, WA 98531

Salkum

  • Phone: (360) 669-5236
  • Fax: (360) 736-0090
  • Address: 149 Wilcox Road, Salkum WA
  • Mailing: P. O. Box 870, Centralia, WA

Toledo

  • Phone: (360) 864-2350
  • Fax: (360) 736-0090
  • Address: 200 N. Second St, Toledo WA
  • Mailing: P. O. Box 870, Centralia, WA

Twin Cities

  • Phone: (360) 748-0700
  • Fax: (360) 736-0090
  • Address: 91 SW Chehalis Ave, Chehalis WA
  • Mailing: P. O. Box 870, Centralia, WA