For a child, the first five years last forever.
HOT ON THE HILL
The FY2026 Senate Labor-HHS funding bill proposes a $170 million overall increase for early learning programs. The bill includes $8.83 billion for the Child Care Development Block Grant (an $85 million increase), $12.36 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start (also an $85 million increase), and continued funding of $315 million for Preschool Development Grants Birth Through Five.
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 child care and early learning 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.
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 support working parents, children, and the economy. Federal funding and programs benefit families nationwide and serve as the foundation for America’s child care and early learning system.
Latest News
& Resources
Stand for Head Start Stories
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 …
Research Finds Preschool Enrollment Can Increase Parent Income
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 …
Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2026
Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all of the federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age …
