CAPSULE COLLECTION: Head Start

IN A NUTSHELL

The Head Start program has served more than 40 million children in its 60-year history—giving kids a strong start through early learning, health, and nutrition services. Children are eligible if their family income is below the federal poverty level ($ 27,320 for a family of three and $33,000 for a family of four), they are in foster care, or they are experiencing homelessness. 

Federal funds go directly to local grantees in all 50 states who operate programs in rural, urban, and suburban communities and across a variety of settings, including centers, family child care, churches, and schools. Each program relies on input from parents and community members to ensure services are tailored and effective. Grantees serve more than half a million children each year. 

Head Start has had sustained and bipartisan support for decades, through eleven Administrations.

FACTS AT-A-GLANCE

• 17,000: Head Start/Early Head Start centers operating nationwide, serving families in every Congressional district
• $27,320 or less: Income level at which a family of three qualifies for Head Start 
• 70%: Parents employed, in school, or in job training

STATE AND LOCAL IMPACT

• Head Start State Fact Sheets: FFYF’s state fact sheets show the reach and impact of Head Start in each state, including funding and enrollment information, where services are provided, and the partnerships with parents and community members that ensure children have what they need to be successful.
• Mapping Head Start Across States and Districts: FFYF’s interactive maps provide detailed data at both the state and congressional district levels, offering valuable insights into the children, families, and communities who depend on Head Start services.
• Building the Foundation: This resource highlights Head Start’s foundational role in state and local early learning systems.

FUNDING

• Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2027: Head Start receives federal funding through the annual appropriations process in Congress – here’s a quick look at the levels suggested for FY27. 
• STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on Proposed FY27 House Funding Levels for Child Care and Early Learning Programs

HEAD START NPRM

On August 6, 2026,  the Administration released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Head Start,  a formal announcement published in the Federal Register when a Federal Agency intends to add to, remove from, or otherwise change policy through a rule or regulation.  

FFYF is taking time to carefully review and analyze the proposal, read the statement from FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling here.

Here’s what we know so far: 

• The proposed rule is open for a 60-day public comment period, providing stakeholders the opportunity to review the proposal and submit feedback. (The 60-day comment period will end at midnight on October 6, 2026.) 
• FFYF is conducting a thorough analysis of the NPRM and providing comment on how to strengthen the program, ensuring it is both consistent with the core elements of Head Start as well as what’s right for children and families.     
• These Core Elements of Head Start include high-quality early learning and care, a comprehensive, development-focused approach, meaningful parent engagement, and innovative local design. 
• And, as polling shows, Head Start also remains overwhelmingly popular with voters across all demographics. 

Bottom Line: Head Start is an essential program that provides children from families with the lowest-income with child care, early learning, health and developmental screenings, nutrition and other comprehensive services. We’ll continue to share updates through our NPRM State of Play, including our analysis, public comments, and other data-driven resources. Thank you! 

More to come! 

HEAD START CORE ELEMENTS

Over its 60-year history, Head Start has adhered to essential quality components while continuously improving and refining its delivery of services through changes in both federal law and regulations.

To maintain the integrity of the Head Start program, organizations across the early learning landscape — including FFYF — have aligned around five Core Elements that are fundamental to the program’s continued effectiveness and impact.

BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR HEAD START

Across the political spectrum, Members of Congress have long understood the important role of Head Start in the lives of families with young children in their districts. As Congress negotiated the FY26 budget, Members joined “Dear Colleague” letters to underscore support for funding for specific programs.

This year, a record number of freshman lawmakers and first time signers showed their support for Head Start.

• The Republican Head Start letter, led by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), had more signers (34) than in any of the past five years. 34% of them were first time signers.
• The Democratic Head Start letter, led by Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), also had unprecedented levels of support (185 overall) with 35 new signers, 18 of whom were freshman lawmakers.

• Republican Quotes of Support for Head Start 
• Democratic Quotes of Support for Head Start

Voters agree. In an April 2025 poll, four out of five (79%) voters say they support Head Start, including:

• 73% of Republicans
• 74% of Trump voters, 
• 76% of Independents 
• 86% of Democrats.

DEEPER DIVE: RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

• Head Start and Early Head Start overview: This overview provides a deeper look at Head Start – what it is, how it works, what it does. 
• Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships
• Stand for Head Start Stories: These are a few stories of the parents, advocates, and educators who have seen firsthand the powerful impact of Head Start.
• ⁠A Brief History and Overview of the Head Start Program