What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Northcoast Children's Services

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United States
Arcata, CA
Northcoast Children's Services

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NCS Serves Pregnant People & Children ages 0-5. NCS believes that parents are children’s first and most important teacher throughout their lives.

Northcoast Children's Services provides free and low cost center based and home based preschool programs at 30 locations throughout Humboldt & Del Norte Counties. Northcoast Children’s Services is a private non-profit corporation serving low income pregnant women and families with children from birth to kindergarten age. One of the largest nonprofits in California’s rural northern coastal area, NCS operates federally funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs, California State Preschool, General Child Care and Development Programs, and the California Child Care Food Service program. NCS employs over 240 people and provides services to approximately 850 children and their families in 30 separate locations throughout the Humboldt and Del Norte Counties each year. NCS programs work in partnership with parents to promote healthy child development with goals for school readiness in the areas of language and literacy development, cognitive development, large and small motor development, social emotional development and health and safety knowledge. In addition to educational services, Head Start and Early Head Start programs partner with families to help them reach their goals for family needs, wellness, safety, life skills, and parenting. Parent Involvement is an integral piece of our program. Parents are encouraged to participate in their child and family’s development through parent teacher conferences and home visits, parent meetings and group activities, volunteering, and program governance.

10/28/2026

It's Head Start Awareness Month!

Head Start is more than a preschool program. It's a comprehensive program designed to help families build stability, access resources, and create opportunities for long-term success.

Head Start recognizes that when parents have the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed, children are better equipped to learn, grow, and thrive. By strengthening families, we help build stronger communities and brighter futures for generations to come.

10/21/2026

We're hiring Early Childhood Educators!

Help children learn, grow, and thrive in a supportive and rewarding environment. Apply on our website or contact us today!

https://ncsheadstart.org/careers/

View current job openings at NCS, learn about the generous benefits we offer employees and apply online.

10/15/2026

💜 Thank You to Our 2025-2026 Policy Council Members! 💜

At our recent Policy Council meeting, we had the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our 2025-2026 Policy Council Members for their service, leadership, and commitment to Northcoast Children's Services.

Throughout the year, these dedicated parent representatives helped ensure that family voices remained at the heart of our program. Their time, insight, and advocacy have made a meaningful impact on the children and families we serve.

As we prepare to welcome a new group of representatives for the 2026-2027 program year, we invite interested parents and guardians to learn more about Policy Council. If you'd like to get involved and help shape our program, talk with your child's teacher or Family Worker for more information.

Thank you to all of our Policy Council Members for your partnership and dedication. We are grateful for all that you do!

10/07/2026

Pastels on the Plaza 2026 was incredible! Year after year, it’s always inspiring to see so many people come together to support children and families in our community!

Thank you to the artists, sponsors, community partners, volunteers, and everyone who came out to make this colorful day possible.

Special shoutouts to some community champions who went above and beyond:

🌯 Hey Juan Burritos for making 250 burritos to keep our artists and volunteers fueled.

🐝 Kids in the Hive for providing a fun and safe space for kids to play at the event.

🌿 Branches Humboldt for providing volunteers, checking in on artists throughout the day, and making sure they had everything they needed.

🎨 Stasia Allen for creating another amazing 3D masterpiece for Northcoast Children’s Services! 🐌

🌱North Coast Growers Association Farmers' Markets for helping with traffic, trash, and many other event day logistics to ensure a smooth and fun day!

💜 Event Sponsors: Art Center Arcata, Bicoastal Media Humboldt, Ink People Center for Arts and Culture, Coast Central Credit Union, Vero Fiber, AFSCME Local 1684, and North Coast Appliance!

Thank you all for helping turn the plaza into a beautiful art gallery, and for supporting our cause and investing in early childhood. We are so grateful! 💜

10/01/2026

Head Start changes lives, and yesterday we helped share that message on Capitol Hill.

Three members of our leadership team, including Executive Director Rodney Oien, met with Congressman Jared Huffman's staff to advocate for strong investments in Head Start and the children, families, and communities we serve.

Every child deserves access to the support they need to thrive.

10/01/2026

Help keep Salmonberry Preschool open for Trinidad families. 🌱

Northcoast Children's Services is working to close a projected $5,000 operating deficit for Salmonberry's 2026–2027 school year. Every donation goes directly toward keeping this early learning program running for local kids and families.

💳 Donate Here:
www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/keep-trinidads-salmonberry-preschool-thriving

✉️ Or mail a check/money order to:
Northcoast Children's Services
PO Box 5027
Eureka, CA 95502
(Please note it's for Salmonberry Preschool)

NCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your contribution is tax-deductible. Tax ID: 94-1749823.

Thank you for helping make sure Trinidad kids have access to quality early education close to home. 💙

09/30/2026

🎨✨ The countdown is on! Pastels on the Plaza is happening THIS SATURDAY, and we can't wait to see the sidewalks filled with color!

Businesses: It's not too late to sponsor a square and feature your business name on a square filled with vibrant artwork!

Purchase a square today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pastels-on-the-plaza--2026

09/28/2026

Head Start is more than preschool. It provides family support, developmental screenings, mental health consultation, health services, and safe learning environments for children.

A proposed federal rule would significantly change many of the standards that help guide these services. While the changes are not final, many in the Head Start community are concerned that reducing federal standards could make it harder for programs nationwide to maintain the comprehensive services that have long defined Head Start.

At Northcoast Children's Services, we believe every child deserves a safe learning environment, strong family support, early intervention, and access to comprehensive services. These values reflect our vision to nurture and empower the whole child and family. We will continue advocating for the high standards that help children and families thrive.

Public comments are open through October 6. We encourage our community to learn more and make their voices heard. You can submit a public comment at this website: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16134/reducing-federal-burden-for-head-start-programs -comment

NHSA has put together a simple guide for submitting a public comment that you can access here: https://nhsa.org/nprm-resources/how-to-speak-up-for-head-start/submit-a-public-comment/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUnp5NleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMWJkQU1FdHBQU1M3RkljYzJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeXrKJV68IO_ZRY1CzejjDjWzMJYLrJe01x3ttMUhBBp0wI0ZX0p8YiGMTc9Y_aem_dzlY2KHywBFeiNS1rYhtBQ

Address

1266 9th Street
Arcata, CA
95521

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://ncsheadstart.org/

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