For a child, the first five years last forever.
Congress: End the Shutdown. Protect Head Start.
Families with young children are feeling the pain of the federal shutdown. If Congress doesn’t act now, tens of thousands of children could lose access to Head Start along with the care, education, nutrition, and stability it provides. Tell your Members of Congress to protect Head Start and end the shutdown today.
POLLING: Rural Voters on Child Care and Head Start
Rural Parents have been hit particularly hard by child care challenges, with a significant number saying they’re having trouble finding work, are cutting back on basic necessities, and are putting off growing their families due to a lack of affordable options that meet their family’s needs. In a new poll from First Five Years Fund, Rural Americans say money is tight, and child care is a significant part of that burden.
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
STATEMENT: Protecting Children In A Time of Uncertainty
The first few years of life set the foundation for children’s health, learning, and behavior. During this crucial birth-to-five period, a child’s brain is especially adaptable—but also vulnerable. Repeated exposure …
STATE OF PLAY: Federal Shutdown and Child Care/Early Learning Programs
UPDATE: Day 37 of the Federal Shutdown 11/6/25 As the shutdown continues, Head Start programs in 40+ states did not receive their scheduled funding on November 1st. Head Start sites …
FFYF’s Sarah Rubinfield on Early Childhood Chats Podcast
Government shutdowns disrupt the lives of families whose little ones rely on Head Start. FFYF Government Affairs Managing Director Sarah Rubinfield recently joined Early Childhood Chats from the Institute for …
