For a child, the first five years last forever.
ABCS of Federal Early Learning and Child Care Funding Streams
Every year, millions of children who range in age from birth through five benefit from an array of federal early learning and care programs. While there are different early learning settings and certain programs have distinct requirements, together they form a mixed-delivery system that strives to support the care, education, and healthy development of children, prioritizing children from low-income families, parental choice, and children’s individual needs.
Protect and Expand the CDCTC
We know that Congress will focus on taxes this year. We also know it is crucial that protecting and expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC, or family care credit) is part of that conversation. This important tax credit helps working parents keep more of what they earn to pay for child care and, if it were expanded, could provide real help for families struggling to pay for child care.
Child Care and Early Learning State Fact Sheets
FFYF’s State Fact Sheets from 50 states and Washington, D.C. show how federal investments in child care impact working parents, children, and the economy. Federal funding and programs benefit families nationwide and serve as the foundation for America’s early care and education system.
Latest News
& Resources
Support for Head Start
Head Start provides high-quality learning and care, nutrition, and medical services for young children whose families have incomes below poverty. This helps their parents to go to work, especially in …
FFYF Statement on Proposed Elimination of Head Start
Following the news that the proposed FY2026 budget would completely eliminate funding for Head Start, FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling released this statement: “Last night, a leaked memo from the …
Polling Memo: Republican Support for Child Care Tax Policies
Polling conducted by Republican pollsters UpONE Insights on behalf of First Five Years Fund (FFYF) shows strong support for expanding child care-related tax credits. This is especially relevant as the …
