About Our Centers Current Families Get Involved

Head Start Lafayette & Iberia

Early learning and literacy to give all children a Head Start

Prime Time Head Start is a free program that promotes school readiness for preschoolers. We bring a relentless focus on positive child and family outcomes to help close the achievement gap and build bright futures with the children, families, and communities served by the Head Start program.

Need help?

Call us at 337-465-2428

or email us at [email protected].

Let us call you by filling out this form.

Head Start Lafayette or Iberia

We welcome children ages six weeks to five years old to join us as we help them build basic skills, develop a love of literacy and hone critical-thinking abilities that will set the foundation for lifelong learning. Prime Time Head Start follows a Tier 1 Curriculum, the top rating for instructional materials by the Louisiana Department of Education, in order to help provide a seamless transition into kindergarten. Our Early Head Start program promotes the physical, mental, social and emotional development of infants and toddlers in a safe and caring environment. Our family engagement approach means that you, as your child’s caregiver, are our most important partner and we look forward to working closely together to ensure that your child achieves their school-readiness goals.

Online Application (English) Online Application (Spanish)

Download an application

To complete our online application or to download the full application, please select from the options above. As part of the Early Childhood Network for both Lafayette and Iberia parishes, all families must also complete the coordinated enrollment form below. Please select your parish to begin.

Registration Requirements

Documents needed to complete your application include:

Birth certificate or documentation of birth
Proof of residence
Income verification
Parent/guardian identification
Once accepted, health records will be required prior to entry.
Dental Exam Form
Physical Form
Well Baby Form (Early Head Start)

Results

Prime Time Head Start students in Acadiana saw significant growth during the 2021-22 school year in writing, math and approaches to learning, which measures how students carry out learning tasks. To reach these gains, Prime Time adopted a Louisiana Department of Education Tier I Early Childhood Curriculum (Frog Street Press), implemented a curriculum coach at each site, increased staff individualization during professional development opportunities and implemented pre and post assessments.

See 2021-22 results

Our Centers

Dodson Street

Director Michelle Mamou
420 Dodson Street
New Iberia, LA 70563
337-376-2840

Ira Street

Director Wilma Chretien
600 Ira Street
Jeanerette, LA 70544
337-579-2070

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Director Shameika Montgomery
812 12th Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
337-321-8044

Current families

Thanks for being part of the Prime Time family!

In addition to the services offered to our students, we partner with community agencies to ensure that caregivers can also be connected to supportive resources.

If you are in need of support, would like to become involved at one of our centers or have any questions related to your child’s education or Head Start services, please contact your center director, family advocate or classroom teacher.

Forms & Downloads

School Calendar 2024-25
School Calendar 2025-26
Parent Handbook
Emergency Manual

Other Resources

Reading with Prime Time Pops

Water Sample Reports

Get Involved

Prime Time Head Start offers a number of ways for parents to get involved with the program including working with program governance, participating in the classroom and engaging in fun and educational activities with their children.

POLICY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Third Thursday of every month at 5 p.m.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NETWORK MEETINGS
Family Engagement Network Meetings take place once a month on a Wednesday afternoon at your child’s center. Dates are announced via the Child Plus system and on our Facebook page.

This website is supported in part by the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Prime Time and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.