Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2027
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 five. Traditionally, subcommittees within the House and Senate Appropriations Committees develop their own legislation that sets funding levels for the programs within their jurisdiction, which is then taken up by the full Appropriations Committees, and later the full legislative body, before a negotiation process between the two chambers of Congress and ultimately the president’s signature.
Over the past fifteen years, federal early learning programs have seen steady, significant progress through increased, bipartisan investments from both Congress and the White House.
Below is a timeline of recent funding decisions by Congress:
March 25: 89 National and State organizations submit a letter to Appropriators in support of federal funding for child care and early learning including:
- CCDBG: Increase of at least $3.57 billion, for a total of at least $12.4 billion
- Early Head Start/Head Start:Increase of at least $1.91 billion for a total of at least $14.27 billion
- PDG B-5: At least $315 million
March 27: House Members submit Dear Colleague letters in support of federal funding for child care and early learning programs.
April 20: Democratic Senators submit a Dear Colleague letter in support of federal funding for child care and early learning programs.
April 3, 2026: The White House released President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for 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.
Below you will find links to charts from previous fiscal years:
The chart below includes FY2026 funding levels for the key early learning programs.
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FFYF Statement on White House Budget Proposal, FY2027
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