Early Head Start (for infants and toddlers), Head Start (for preschoolers), and the Child Care and Development Block Grant all play a critical role in helping children learn and their families work. 

But today these programs only have the capacity to reach 2.5 million at-risk young children, just one-third of those eligible and in need of services.

Early childhood education is one of the most cost-effective public investments our nation can make, particularly during a budget crisis. Short-term costs are more than offset by near-term and long-term returns, including lower special education referrals, less remediation and grade retention, better health outcomes, lower crime, and increased family self-sufficiency and productivity.

Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant funding must be sustained in the 2011 and 2012 appropriations bills. These essential investments will allow nearly 300,000 at-risk children to continue receiving services today and will reduce costs in education, health and social services in the future.

Learn more about funding for core early learning programs

Click here to read FFYF's letter to Congress urging them to prioritize early learning programs as they negotiate budget and debt reduction plans.