2026 Early Head Start and Head Start
Head Start has a long history of giving kids a strong start through comprehensive early learning, health, and nutrition services. Across the early learning landscape, the Head Start Program is upheld as a benchmark for high quality early learning and care due to its commitment to a comprehensive, development-focused strategy, its approach to parent engagement, and its innovative local design.
In 2026, we are focused on continuing to bolster overall support for this essential program at the federal level.
STATE OF PLAY
April 2026: Congress is currently determining funding levels for essential federal child care and early learning programs, including Early Head Start/Head Start.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 15,000: Early Head Start/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
In an April 2025 poll, four out of five (79%) voters said they support Head Start, including:
- 73% of Republicans
- 74% of Trump voters,
- 76% of Independents
- 86% of Democrats.
2026 TIMELINE
- March 25: Deadline for House Dear Colleague letters in support of FY27 child care and early learning funding.
- March 25: The child care and early learning community sends Congressional appropriators a Community Letter calling for increased funding in FY27
- April 2: White House budget proposal expected
- June/July: Potential markup from Appropriators (with initial decisions on funding levels)
- September 30: End of the Fiscal Year. Congress must pass a spending package by midnight, a temporary “Continuing Resolution” to buy more time to pass a package, or face a government shutdown.
Essential Reading
Resources
Head Start and Early Head Start: The Program Overview
This one-pager provides data and information on how Head Start works and who it serves.
Building the Foundation: Head Start Strengthens Early Learning Nationwide
This resource highlights Head Start’s foundational role in state and local early learning systems.
CAPSULE COLLECTION: Head Start
This one-stop-shop collection of the top facts, resources, and data around Head Start and Early Head Start.
Head Start Program Core Elements
This document includes the five elements that are essential to the program’s integrity, as supported by national, regional, and state organizations around the country.
FFYF Testifies in Favor of Statewide Competition at ED ELC Forum
Earlier today, FFYF participated in a public forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Education about the structure of the Early Learning Challenge in FY12. FFYF firmly believes that the …
Video
Video: Stand for Head Start
A short video highlighting the big difference Head Start makes in the lives of families.
Polling
POLLING: Rural Voters on Child Care and Head Start
Recent survey found that rural Americans says money is tight, and child care is a significant part of that burden.
Quotes
Republican Quotes of Support for Head Start
Quotes from Republican Members of Congress expressing support for Head Start and the impact it has on the communities they serve.
Democratic Quotes of Support for Head Start
Quotes from Democratic Members of Congress expressing support for Head Start and the impact it has on the communities they serve.
What you can do
Congress, please protect and prioritize child care and early learning funding in FY27 Appropriations packages. This includes strengthening and prioritizing investments in trusted federal child care programs including the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Head Start & Early Head Start, and Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (PDG B-5).
