FFYF Hosts Bipartisan Child Care and Early Learning Briefing on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF), in conjunction with the Bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus, hosted congressional staff for its annual “ABCs of Federal Early Learning and Child Care” briefing. The briefing focused on the importance of federal early learning and child care programs and the need for robust funding through the annual appropriations process.

Panelists and lawmakers alike discussed why programs like the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, Head Start and Early Head Start, and the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) are essential to making quality child care and early learning opportunities more affordable and accessible for families who need it. 

The timing of these conversations is vital because right now, Members of Congress are sending “Dear Colleague” letters to rally support for these child care and early learning programs. When more Members of Congress sign on to these “Dear Colleague” letters, it strengthens the case for child care funding and support.

Below are excerpts from lawmakers’ and panelists’ testimonies:

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR): “Child care and early childhood education is what makes every type of work possible… The best investment we can make is early childhood. Ninety percent of a child’s brain growth happens before they enter kindergarten. Not every child has access to the same types of opportunities, which is why it’s so important to invest federal dollars in child care… Child care remains a strong bipartisan issue, and it needs to be.”

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): “When you talk about the formative years and the impressionable years of all of our lives, they occur in those first five years. They have a dramatic impact and can totally change the trajectory of your life. That’s before you even get to the importance of affordable child care and Head Start.”

Sarah Rubinfield, FFYF Managing Director, Government Affairs: “Federal programs like the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Early Head Start and Head Start, and Preschool Development Grants Birth Through Five provide crucial support to nearly 2 million of our youngest learners each year. They help families afford care, keep parents in the workforce, and ensure children have safe, enriching early learning experiences. But these programs reach only a portion of the families who qualify.”

Faye Nelson, Deputy Commissioner for Family Resources, Alabama Department of Human Resources: “Child care is one of the critical areas where we need federal dollars to help cover the cost. The cost of child care is high. We know that families come to us because they need to enter the workforce to improve their lives. We strive to support families in becoming self-sufficient.”

Trina Averette, Owner and Director, Foundation for Creative Life, Ohio: “Over my 30 years, 90% of the families enrolled have had to use CCDBG. Without the subsidy, they would not be able to enroll their children in my program. When families lose their subsidies, they disappear.”

Holly Strait, Senior Vice President of Child & Family Development Program, Pathstone, Pennsylvania: “The PDG grants help state leaders improve their early childhood programs within their states. Since 2018, Pennsylvania has utilized that funding for mental health services for children and for children with disabilities.”

Aaron Merchen, Executive Director of Early Childhood Education Programs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, North Carolina: “When we’re talking about the impact on state economies due to a lack of child care, we’re talking about billions of dollars.”