WASHINGTON: Congress on Wednesday passed and sent to President Bush a five-year Head Start bill that opens the popular preschool program to more children while taking steps to see that it is well-run and its teachers are better qualified.

Bush is expected to sign it, though he is unhappy with several aspects of the bill, particularly its lack of language allowing religious groups receiving Head Start grants to hire and fire staffers based on their religious affiliation.

The House passed the bill 381-36. Hours later, the Senate approved it 95-0.

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, said: ''Head Start remains a cornerstone in this country's efforts to help all children learn, to combat poverty, and to provide all Americans with the opportunity to meet their fullest potential. This bipartisan legislation will help more poor children reach school age ready to learn and thrive.''

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, recalled that the program for low-income children had its origins in the early 1960s, when his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, tackled the problem of juvenile delinquency. Research found that alleviating poverty and increasing early education were crucial.

Head Start was created in 1965 as an eight-week summer program providing classes and health care. It has since reached 24 million children, Kennedy said. ''But its mission has remained the same, to help our most vulnerable children succeed in school and in life.''

The White House has protested the failure to include language giving religious groups seeking Head Start grants autonomy over whom they hire. Opponents said that could sanction religious discrimination for entities receiving federal money.

The White House also objected to the elimination of a testing regime for 4-year-olds, saying it was the one tool that effectively measures children's progress.

The 42-year-old education, nutrition and health program, mainly for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds, hasn't been reauthorized since 2003.

Since then, Congress has approved money for the program, but has been unable to make substantial changes in it.

Head Start enrolls about 900,000 children.

The bill would approve $7.35 billion for fiscal year 2008, including money to add 8,000 toddlers to the Early Head Start program for children younger than 3. It promotes participation of homeless and migrant children as well as children who are disabled or learning English.