The Branciforte Head Start campus in Santa Cruz has been closed since Oct. 29, a result of the ongoing federal shutdown. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local)

SANTA CRUZ >> A child care program that serves hundreds of children aged 5 and younger in Santa Cruz County temporarily closed this week as the government shutdown dragged on and funds ran out.

Head Start serves about 220 children from low-income households, most of whom live in South Santa Cruz County. 

The program, locally managed by nonprofit Encompass, supports children and families during the first few years of parenting. Services include early childhood education, classes for parents, dental health care and social and emotional education to help prepare children for school. The program also offers in-home visits during pregnancy. 

The program shuttered on Wednesday and is expected to remain closed until Congress passes a funding bill for the federal government and ends the shutdown.

Some other agencies in Santa Cruz County provide no or low-cost preschool or child care, though it remains uncertain whether every family part of Head Start will be able to find another spot.

Other options for care

Families in and around Watsonville may be able to receive free or low-cost care through Pajaro Valley Unified School District, which runs its own preschool programs. On Nov. 12, the school district is set to temporarily open new classes on three Watsonville sites it had leased to Encompass: the Angela Agbayani Center at 140 Herman Ave., Terry Jimenez Center at 201 Brewington Ave. and Starlight Center at 235 Hammer Drive.

The district can accept students from infants to 5 years old, but may not be able to accommodate all Head Start students. Call 831-786-8270 for more information or to register.

Children age 4 are eligible for free transitional kindergarten at a public elementary school. Students must have turned 4 before Sept. 1, 2025. Children age 5 are eligible for kindergarten. Apply through your local school district. Look up your district and assigned school. See more details about transitional kindergarten in Santa Cruz County. 

Limited spots are available in six preschools for children 2-5 years old operated by nonprofit Community Bridges in Ben Lomond, Freedom, Watsonville and two locations in the Beach Flats neighborhood of Santa Cruz. Programs are free or low-cost, based on income. Submit an application or see more information and contact details for each preschool.

Other child care options may be available at no or low cost, though many child care programs in Santa Cruz County have waitlists. The Child Development Resource Center, operated by the Santa Cruz Office of Education, provides referrals to preschools, home-based child care and facilities. Referrals are available by phone 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 831-466-5820. 

What’s next for Head Start

Encompass leaders are laying plans to quickly restart programs once funds are restored, said Interim CEO Kim Morrison. Head Start has been granted funds, but must wait until the government shutdown stops to receive it, she said.

The Head Start program in Santa Cruz County has been funded for 50 years, Morrison said. “This is the first time we’ve really had this problem.” 

Leaders also hope to find a partner organization in North or mid-Santa Cruz County to take on families who can no longer access Head Start. About 60 students in and around the City of Santa Cruz, the San Lorenzo Valley, Live Oak and Soquel attend Head Start programs.

Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.