Head Start at El Valor is a free, full-day bilingual preschool for children ages 3 to 5 in Chicago. Children learn in both English and Spanish from degreed educators in a play-based classroom where the relationships they build will prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
Who This Program Is For
This program is for families in Chicago looking for a bilingual preschool that goes beyond the basics. If you want your child to be truly ready for kindergarten, not just academically, but socially and emotionally, this is the place.
Whether your child is learning English, learning Spanish, or growing in both, our bilingual classrooms meet them right where they are. We also welcome children who need a little extra support. If your child has a developmental need, our team provides screenings and guides your family step by step through the referral process for therapy or special education services.
Our classrooms are designed for small hands and big imaginations. Children choose how they spend their time during free play: building with blocks, creating art, exploring dramatic play, or working with natural materials. Our approach is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy where children lead, and teachers guide. With a 1:10 teacher-to-child ratio, every child is seen, heard, and known.
Our curriculum is play-based and bilingual. Children build the skills they need for kindergarten through activities they love. That means early reading, vocabulary, math, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. It all happens naturally through exploration and discovery.
Children also develop social and emotional skills. They learn to share, to listen, to express their feelings, and to work through challenges. These are the skills that shape a child’s confidence for years to come.
Every El Valor center has a themed smart room where children explore science, technology, art, and the world around them. At the Cantu Center, children discover the forest. At the Reyes Center, they dream about outer space. iPads, Chromebooks, and smart boards are woven into learning, not as a replacement for play, but as a natural tool alongside it.
We believe children in our community deserve the same exposure to technology as children anywhere. When they walk into kindergarten, they will be ready.
Our Monarch Conservation Program is part of daily life. Children grow milkweed, observe caterpillars, and release butterflies. For many of our families, the monarch holds deep meaning: a symbol of migration, transformation, and hope. From Día de Muertos to the first spring butterflies, learning here is rooted in the rhythms of culture and nature.
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are prepared fresh every day in our on-site kitchens. Meals are culturally relevant. Think pozole, pupusas, and tacos. Every child receives at least five servings of fruits and vegetables and their daily portions of milk. We practice family-style dining, where children learn to serve themselves, open their own milk cartons, and sit together as a community.
At El Valor, parents are partners, not visitors. Our open-door policy means you are always welcome in the classroom. Have breakfast with your child and see what they are learning. Feel free to talk with their teacher any time, not just on report card day.
Every family is assigned a Family Advocate who helps with your personal and family goals. Need to learn English? Want to buy a home? Looking for dental care for your child? Your Family Advocate connects you with workshops, resources, and support.
You are also invited to join our Policy Council, attend parent workshops, and volunteer. Your voice shapes how our program runs. This is your community, too.
Tip: Schedule your child’s physical before your enrollment visit. The physical form includes a section for immunizations.
Enrollment is based on household income using the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Families receiving SNAP benefits may automatically qualify. Families with a child who needs extra developmental support or families facing challenges like homelessness may also receive priority.
Our team reviews your information and contacts you to schedule a visit. You will tour the center, meet the teachers, and get all of your questions answered. We want this to feel easy, because starting something new should feel exciting, not stressful.
El Valor offers free dual-language Head Start preschool at four centers across Chicago, serving families in neighborhoods including Little Village, Pilsen, Roseland, and Albany Park. Visit our contact page to find the center closest to you.
Head Start is a federally funded early childhood program for children ages 3 to 5 from families with lower incomes. Eligibility is based on your household size and income. Families receiving SNAP benefits may automatically qualify. Our team will walk you through the process.
Our centers are open from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Children enjoy a full day of learning, meals, rest time, and play. Extended hours support working parents and parents attending school.
We maintain a 1:10 teacher-to-child ratio. All lead teachers hold degrees in early childhood education and most are bilingual in English and Spanish.
El Valor welcomes children of all ability levels. We are not exclusively a special needs program. We are a preschool where all children learn together. Our team provides developmental screenings and helps families navigate the referral process for additional therapy or support services when needed.
