FFYF Statement on White House Budget Proposal, FY2027

This morning, the White House released President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The budget includes level funding for Child Care and Development Block Grant ($8.8 billion) and Early Head Start/Head Start ($12.3 billion), and the elimination of the Preschool Development Block Grant Birth Through Five.  Full funding numbers are below, and read more about funding here:

The following is a statement from First Five Years Fund:

“This morning, the Administration released its FY 2027 budget request outlining its priorities for federal discretionary spending which maintained funding for CCDBG and Head Start – the core federal child care and early learning programs. It also eliminated funding for Preschool Development Block Grants Birth through Five (PDG B-5). As Congress moves forward with the fiscal year 2027 appropriations process, we urge them to protect and prioritize funding for child care and early learning programs.

“Investments in child care and early learning benefit both families and the workforce. Programs including CCDBG and Early Head Start/Head Start form the backbone of the nation’s child care system, while Preschool Development Grants help states strengthen and coordinate their child care systems. As families face rising costs, it will be especially important for Congress to maintain strong funding for child care programs and restore funding for PDG B-5.  Together, these programs support children’s healthy development in their earliest years, strengthen family finances, and fuel our national economy.

“We appreciate the longstanding bipartisan commitment lawmakers have demonstrated in funding for child care and early learning programs. As lawmakers begin drafting FY2027 appropriations bills, they have an important opportunity to demonstrate continued support for these critical programs by building on the bipartisan funding increases enacted last year. 

“Child care has also proven time and again to be an issue that is front and center for America’s working families and one with overwhelming support among voters across the political spectrum. In the months ahead, we urge Congress to protect and prioritize additional investments in these essential programs.”

Support:

• This year, the annual Member led Dear Colleague letters supporting funding for child care and early learning programs saw record levels of support for CCDBG, Head Start, and PDG B-5. 
• Community letter: FFYF and a coalition of 89 child care and early learning organizations from 32 states have a new letter to Congressional appropriators calling for increased funding for federal early learning and care programs.

Learn More:

• FY27 Key Early Learning Programs: A chart explaining the funding timeline of FY27 funding decisions from the White House and Congress.
• The First Five Things to Know: Appropriations FY27: What you need to know about FY27 appropriations and it’s impact on child care and early learning.
• ABCs of Federal Early Learning Programs: Contains an overview of each of the federally funded early learning and care programs. 
• Federal Funding is Foundational: The federal government provides the majority of public funding needed to undergird the  child care in the United States. 
• Polling – In this 2026 polling, nearly three out of four voters (74%) say federal funding for child care and early learning is a good use of tax dollars, including 53% of Republicans, 77% of Independents, and 93% of Democrats.  

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