The Friday Five: The Latest Child Care and Early Learning News

The child care and early learning news you don’t want to miss. Check here for updates every Friday for the latest information you need to know.

May 1

Efforts are being made across the country to support families and early childhood educators starting right here in our nation’s Capitol. Check it out 👇

1. The Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week, an important victory for early childhood educators, working families, and America’s youngest learners.
2. The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) recently released their annual State of Preschool Yearbook. The yearbook provides an annual snapshot of state-funded preschool across the country.
3. The New York Times recently highlighted the stories of young couples rethinking plans for the future due to rising costs – particularly the cost of child care. 
4. The Center for American Progress (CAP) analyzed the supply of licensed child care and found that just fewer than half of the nation’s young children still live in child care deserts.
5. The federal Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) is helping states like Oregon and Michigan improve the quality of child care and early childhood education. 

April 17

This week’s Friday Five includes a quick roundup of the latest news and research on child care and early learning:

1. The Washington Post dove into Congress, bipartisanship, and child care this week. Check out the full story.
2. An annual survey from NAEYC found that the 2025 program year was especially challenging for providers and families. 
3. A recent report from NBC News shared how the updated child care tax credits make a big difference in the lives of families. 
4. A new analysis from LendingTree finds the cost of raising a child in the U.S. now exceeds $300K over 18 years, highlighting the enormous financial pressure families face, particularly in the early years when child care costs are highest.
5. Last day: The Week of the Young Child ends today, check out our stat of the week to see the latest data on young learners in the U.S. and how we’re celebrating. 

April 10

Congress may be in recess but child care news never stops as appropriations season continues and tax season comes to a close.

Read all the latest below 👇

1. FFYF released this statement in response to President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year 2027.
2. The Week of the Young Child starts on April 11th, celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities.
3. Need a funding refresher? Use this chart which explains the funding timeline of FY27 funding decisions from the White House and Congress.
4. Hawaiʻi has received a one-year federal grant through the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B–5) Systems Building Grant program. More from Kaua’i Now.
5. Last Chance: We are wrapping up tax season next week by highlighting how child care tax credits help make care more accessible and affordable for families nationwide.

April 3

Child care continues to be a major issue for families, employers, and the economy.

Check out the latest resources and stories on how tax policy, employer efforts, and public investments are helping support families and strengthen the economy.

1. Join us this tax season in highlighting how child care tax credits help make care more accessible and affordable for families nationwide.
2. Everyone relies on child care, even those without kids! This Denver Post story highlights how child care makes life run more smoothly for entire communities. 
3. Here are 3 real-world examples of companies leveraging the Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit (45F) to connect employees to child care while bringing increased stability to local providers. 
4. A recent report shared by 25 News Now in Illinois shows that child care challenges cost the state economy more than $6 billion annually. 
5. ICYMI: Check out Sarah Rittling’s ‘Executive Insights’ conversation at the Politico Economy Summit on how child care affordability plays a big role in making our economy stronger.

March 27

Affordability is on everyone’s minds right now. Whether you’re a parent or a business owner or a Member of Congress! Lawmakers are hearing about the rising cost of both accessing and running child care from constituents everywhere they go.

Read today’s Friday Five for more on the child care affordability conversation: 

1. FFYF joined policymakers, journalists, and economic leaders at POLITICO’s Economy Summit to share why child care is central to the affordability conversation, and to the economy.
2. The bipartisan SEED Act, led by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) would extend the existing federal tax deduction for out-of-pocket classroom expenses to include early childhood educators. 
3. FFYF and a coalition of 87 major early education advocacy organizations from 32 states have a new letter to Congressional appropriators calling for increased funding for federal early learning and care programs.
4. Arizona is one of 23 states selected to receive funding through the federal Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) Systems-Building Grant. 
5. Contact your Member of Congress today and urge them to show support for the child care and early learning programs working families need.  

March 20

Capitol Hill was busy this week as ‘Dear Colleague’ letter deadlines are fast approaching and key decisions are being made about child care and early learning funding priorities. Check out today’s Friday Five to hear what Members are talking about and more:

1. FFYF, in conjunction with the Bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus, hosted our annual “ABCs of Federal Early Learning and Child Care” briefing focused on the importance of federal early learning and child care programs and the need for robust funding. 
2. The Senate HELP Committee held a Member Day Hearing during which Senators like Tim Kaine and Deb Fischer had the opportunity to advocate for their proposals to address child care challenges faced by families.
3. States have the flexibility to pay child care providers participating in subsidy programs based on either enrollment or attendance. Our new resource explains which approach states use. 
4. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recently introduced bipartisan legislation to help more businesses take advantage of federal child care tax incentives.
5. In the states: Axios NW Arkansas recently reported on new data from the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas suggesting that child care costs are the most common obstacle to employment for mothers.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter FFYF Insider to stay up to date with the latest child care and early learning priorities!

March 13

FY27 appropriations season is in full swing with lawmakers circulating ‘Dear Colleague’ letters to drum up support for child care and early learning funding. This week’s Friday Five has ways to take action, stay involved, and get informed. 

1. Contact your Member of Congress today using our action center and urge them to sign on and show support for the child care and early learning programs our community needs. 
2. You can read the various ‘Dear Colleague’ letters that are currently being circulated related to the federal early learning and care programs here. 
3. A recent op-ed in AL.com shows how Senator Katie Britt led the way in ensuring the child care tax credits were updated to better support families 
4. The Richland Source in Ohio also reported on how these updated child care tax credits will help working parents better afford child care. 
5. Child care costs are on the rise and outpacing inflation year after year. A New York Times article focuses on the issue of child care affordability and the challenges faced by families.

Check out our social media platforms at the bottom of this page to keep up with all of the most up-to-date child care and early learning policy news and legislation.

February 27

While lawmakers in Washington are preparing to head into FY27 appropriations season, Governors and advocates at the state level are sharing their concerns and solutions to the child care challenges facing families nationwide. 

1. FFYF’s annual review of governors who delivered State of the State addresses revealed a striking consensus: 72% used their remarks to address child care, early learning, or policies supporting new parents and infants.
2. Child care is top of mind for constituents as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle put forth plans to address growing affordability issues. FFYF’s Sarah Rittling spoke with CNN about the need for action.
3. Each year, millions of children from birth through age 5 benefit from an array of federal early learning and care programs. This resource highlights how this funding is used to support young learners, their families, and providers. 
4. The President and CEO of the Darke County Chamber of Commerce in Ohio shared why CCDBG is essential to local economies and helping parents afford the child care they need to get to work. More in The Daily Advocate. 
5. Take a moment to urge your Members of Congress to make life affordable for families with young children by supporting federal child care programs! 

Make it easy to stay up to date by bookmarking our homepage for easy access to the latest child care and early learning news. 

February 13

It was a busy week for child care with plenty of activity on the hill, new research, and more! Check out all of the latest resources and legislation below:

1. Yesterday, the Senate HELP Committee convened a hearing focused on child care access and affordability in light of recent discussions concerning program oversight.
2. Child care champions in both the House and Senate introduced the bipartisan After Hours Child Care Act to expand access to child care during nontraditional hours to better support working parents.
3. ReadyNation released an updated report estimating that child care challenges cost the economy $172 billion each year. 
4. A former state senator and Oklahoma mom lays out how critical CCDBG is for working families. More in Tulsa Today.
5. Ohio is set to receive an over $14 million Preschool Development Grant – Birth to Five (PDG B-5) to support access to early care and education services.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, FFYF Insider to stay engaged and informed every week!

February 6

Big news this week from Capitol Hill as Congress passed the FY26 funding package including funding for child care and early learning. Get the details and more on the child care challenges facing families in today’s Friday Five.

1. The House of Representatives voted, 217–214, to approve five full-year spending bills, including funding for child care and early learning as part of Labor–Health and Human Services.
2. The Washington Post reported on a new plan from the bipartisan Problems Solvers Caucus to tackle America’s affordability crisis – and addressing child care is high on their list!
3. New data from the National Survey for Children’s Health shows major disparities in Kindergarten readiness. AP has the story. 
4. These are the First Five Things you need to know about what voters are saying about child care affordability and availability. 
5. New data, reported by CNBC, found that caregiving responsibilities, including the cost of child care, was the #1 driving factor that led women to leave the workforce voluntarily last year.

Have a hard time keeping up with the latest news? Follow us on social media using the links at the bottom of this page to stay tuned in.

January 23

Congress got one step closer to funding increases for child care and early learning this week as the funding deadline at the end of the month looms closer. We have additional information on appropriations progress and more in today’s Friday Five.

1. The House of Representatives released a Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations package that includes funding increases for federal early learning and care programs. 
2. The RAPID Survey Project at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood found in a recent study that U.S. parents across all income levels have trouble finding, and affording, child care for their children.
3. Reported by CBS News, recent analysis demonstrates the steep financial burden of child care in the U.S. for working parents.
4. The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing last week to highlight the role employers can play in supporting access to child care.
5. Governor Ivey of Alabama announced the state received a $3.8 million federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five to support continued efforts to strengthen and align the early childhood education system.

Subscribe to First Look and our weekly newsletter, FFYF Insider to stay in-the-know as things on Capitol Hill will progress quickly over the next week.

January 16

This was another busy week for child care as we head closer to the Congressional funding deadline at the end of the month. The resources and stories below will give you the tools and information you need to stay informed on all things child care and early learning.

1. For the next 6 days we are taking action by telling Congress to protect and prioritize child care investments during the Appropriations process. Join us using this toolkit!
2. New research reported in The Washington Post shows 1 in 5 families face child care hardships because of child care expenses, with single mothers most affected.
3. First Five Years Fund and our partners recently hosted an advocacy webinar underscoring why now is the time to speak up for child care.
4. In Vermont, the federal Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) will help strengthen the state’s child care and pre-K programs, among other early childhood services.
5. FFYF and 50 other national organizations issued a joint statement to emphasize the urgent need to ensure that federal child care resources continue to reach eligible families with young children, while maintaining active oversight and accountability.

Be sure to follow us on social media using the links at the bottom of this page to stay tuned for more ways to get involved over the coming weeks.

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