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child care

Polling

POLLING: Rural Voters on Child Care and Head Start

September 29, 2025

Recent survey found that rural Americans says money is tight, and child care is a significant part of that burden. 

Data & Analysis

New Interactive Resource Reveals Staggering Data on the Child Care Gaps Across the United States

September 24, 2025

The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska, in collaboration with Child Care Aware of America and the Bipartisan Policy Center, recently released an interactive map resource that …

Events & Hearings

Head Start Community and Champions Gather on Capitol Hill

September 18, 2025

On September 17, more than 200 members and staff from Head Start programs across the country gathered in the Rayburn House Office Building for a Stand for Head Start reception, …

Events & Hearings

Child Care Means Business: Leaders and Employers Highlight Urgent Need for Solutions

September 9, 2025

This week, the First Five Years Fund (FFYF) and the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI) co-hosted a bipartisan briefing on Capitol Hill to spotlight that Child Care Means Business.  The …

Factsheets

ANALYSIS: FFYF’s 2025 State Fact Sheets

September 9, 2025

FFYF’s 2025 State Fact Sheets show how federal investments in child care impact working parents, children, and the economy. These federal programs not only benefit families nationwide, they also serve …

Videos

Stand for Head Start Stories

August 12, 2025

Head Start is a federal program that makes a real differences in the lives of families. These are a few stories of the parents, advocates, and educators who have seen …

Report Highlights

Research Finds Preschool Enrollment Can Increase Parent Income

August 6, 2025

Preschool enrollment has the potential to substantially impact parents’ incomes. Parents’ Earnings and the Returns to Universal Pre-Kindergarten, a study on the economic impact of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) enrollment in …

Press Releases & Statements

STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on Senate Markup of FY26 Funding Levels for Child Care and Early Learning Programs

July 31, 2025

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee held a markup of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act to establish proposed funding levels for child care and …

Data & Analysis

How Do Families Decide on Child Care? A New Study Examines Early Learning and Care Decision-Making

July 31, 2025

Without sufficient federal funding for early learning and care services, options for children and their families remain limited. Thankfully, there are efforts underway to increase access to affordable, high-quality care. …

Events & Hearings

WEBINAR: Make the Most of August Recess

July 22, 2025

During August, Members of Congress return to their home states and districts for a scheduled recess to hear directly from the people they represent. This at home work period is …

Toolkits & Talking Points

TOOLKIT: Tell Your Member of Congress – Child Care is Critical!

July 18, 2025

Members of Congress are home for the last time before the September funding deadline — and this is our moment to speak up. Child care is one of the biggest …

US Capitol building
Press Releases & Statements

FFYF’s Sarah Rittling on Child Care for Working Families Act Introduction

July 15, 2025

WASHINGTON – Today, Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) re-introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA), comprehensive legislation that would address access, affordability, …

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