About
YDI Westside Head Start, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a Head Start preschool program serving children ages 3–5. Operated by Youth Development, Inc. (YDI), a New Mexico youth and family services organization founded in 1971, the center provides comprehensive early childhood education aligned with federal Head Start standards. Children receive developmentally appropriate learning experiences along with health and developmental screenings, nutrition services, and supportive classroom environments that promote school readiness.
The program actively partners with families through parent engagement and education, goal setting, and referrals to YDI’s broader services when needed, including home visiting, Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, behavioral health, case management, and employment and training programs. Services are offered at no cost to eligible families and prioritize inclusion for children with disabilities, children in foster care, and families experiencing homelessness.
As part of YDI’s network of Head Start centers across Bernalillo County and other New Mexico communities, YDI Westside Head Start connects families to reliable resources that address education, health, and family development. Enrollment follows federal Head Start eligibility guidelines and supports consistent attendance to build strong foundations for kindergarten and beyond.