The First Years Last Forever
Less than half of low-income children have access to high-quality early childhood programs that could dramatically improve their opportunities for a better future. Congress and the Administration can help change that.
Less than half of low-income children have access to high-quality early childhood programs that could dramatically improve their opportunities for a better future. Congress and the Administration can help change that.
Support for high-quality early learning and child care remains overwhelmingly bipartisan among voters, candidates and elected officials alike. The results of our latest national poll reveal the clear impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on voters’ perception of quality child care—and the need for a significant public investment in meaningful child care policy solutions for working families and providers.
learn moreAmerica needs child care relief to keep the industry afloat during the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The disastrous economic crisis has hit the child care industry especially hard, causing widespread layoffs and closures as a result of catastrophic drops in enrollment. And while the nation’s economic recovery from this crisis will be a slow, phased process, child care providers will be expected to be open to care for children as parents return to work, while operating on financial losses for months to come due to new social distancing requirements and continued low enrollment.
learn moreAt the beginning of the 116th Congress, FFYF developed a set of legislative priorities for Congress that included key areas through which lawmakers might advance early childhood programs and initiatives. Included in that agenda was a recommendation for Members to not only double down in their support for existing programs like CCDBG, Head Start and Preschool Development Grants, but also develop new and innovative solutions to the problems faced by American families. To date, Republicans and Democrats alike have introduced dozens of bills, big and small, that would strengthen and expand early learning opportunities. FFYF has developed a tracker for the early childhood legislation introduced in the 116th Congress.
learn moreSince 1990, the federally-funded Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDG) has provided support to working families through child care […]
For months, Congress has failed to reach a deal on a pandemic recovery package, leaving American families and businesses high […]
November 20, 2020 Stories from every corner of the nation are demonstrating that child care providers need significant relief if […]
WASHINGTON – Today, the First Five Years Fund (FFYF) released a memo authored by Democratic strategist Stacy Kerr and Republican […]