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Learn more about how the expanded child care tax credits included in the Senate bill could help make child care easier to afford for working families.

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Appropriations

Overview

Child care is expensive, and there’s a massive difference between what providers need to charge to keep doors open and what parents can afford. Each year, Congress allocates federal funding which serves as the foundation for early learning and child care programs in all 50 states. 

This funding increases child care and early learning options for parents and families through a variety of federal programs, including: CCDBG, Head Start and Early Head Start, PDG B-5, and more. These programs benefit families, businesses, and local economies in all 50 states. Stable federal funding is essential to keeping child care services strong while helping more parents afford the care they need to go to work.

While federal investments for early learning and care have garnered strong bipartisan support for years, current federal investments only reach a fraction of income-eligible families. Congress must continue to support working families by protecting and prioritizing federal funding for early learning and child care programs. 

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Resources

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Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2026

June 4, 2025

Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all of the federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age …

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FFYF Capsule Collection: Appropriations and Child Care

June 3, 2025

What Are Appropriations? In A Nutshell Even with growing support from states, businesses and philanthropy, federal funding makes up the majority of investment in child care and early learning in …

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TOOLKIT: Tell Your Member of Congress – Child Care is Critical!

July 18, 2025

Members of Congress are home for the last time before the September funding deadline — and this is our moment to speak up. Child care is one of the biggest …

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Statement: FFYF’s Sarah Rittling on Initial White House Budget Request for FY26

May 2, 2025

This morning, the White House released a letter providing President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Also known as the “skinny budget,” the letter contains …

News

WEBINAR: Make the Most of August Recess

July 22, 2025

During August, Members of Congress return to their home states and districts for a scheduled recess to hear directly from the people they represent. This at home work period is …

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