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Data & Analysis

Data & Analysis

Child Care Takes Center Stage in 2026 State of the State Addresses as Governors Focus on Affordability and Economic Stability

February 17, 2026

The First Five Years Fund annual review of governors who delivered State of the State addresses before February 17, 2026, revealed a striking consensus: 72% used their remarks to address …

Data & Analysis

CAPSULE COLLECTION: Head Start

February 3, 2026

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 …

Data & Analysis

Democratic Quotes of Support for Head Start

February 2, 2026

Head Start provides high-quality learning and care, nutrition, and medical services for young children whose families have incomes below poverty. This helps their parents to go to work, especially in …

Data & Analysis

STATE OF PLAY: Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations

January 31, 2026

FINAL LOOK The FY26 Appropriations process was complicated by a series of continuing resolutions, rumors of a Head Start elimination, Congressional gridlock, and a 43-day government shutdown. In the end, …

Data & Analysis

Republican Quotes of Support for Head Start

January 30, 2026

Head Start provides high-quality learning and care, nutrition, and medical services for young children whose families have incomes below poverty. This helps their parents to go to work, especially in …

Data & Analysis

Governors show support for Federal Preschool Development Grant B-5 Funding

January 22, 2026

The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program is a competitive federal grant program that plays an essential role in ensuring state child care and early learning systems …

Data & Analysis

UPDATE: 23 States Receive Grants To Strengthen Child Care

January 12, 2026

Good news for child care this week. Twenty-three states have been awarded new federal grants to strengthen their child care and early learning programs. The Preschool Development Grant Birth through …

Data & Analysis

Through the Years: Preschool Development Grants Birth Through Five

January 10, 2026

The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program is a $315 million competitive federal grant designed to improve collaboration and quality in states’ early childhood systems by building …

Data & Analysis

Hot Topic: PDG B-5 Grants, December 2025

November 25, 2025

UPDATE 11/25/25 The deadline for applications for Systems-Building Grants is swiftly approaching. A few notes: Last week, Start Early, BUILD, EducationCounsel, and the Alliance for Early Success hosted a webinar …

Data & Analysis

NEW: “High Cost of Child Care Shapes Families’ Choices and Futures”

November 18, 2025

A new 2025 American Family Survey shows a sharp shift in how Americans view the cost of raising children. Seven in ten respondents now say raising kids is too expensive, …

Data & Analysis

STATE OF PLAY: Federal Shutdown and Child Care/Early Learning Programs

November 18, 2025

UPDATE: 11/18/25 In the aftermath of the shutdown, Head Start programs around the nation are continuing to re-open, some more quickly than others. See the latest on the FFYF Shutdown …

Data & Analysis

Shutdown 2025: Impact On Head Start Programs

November 18, 2025

UPDATE: 11/18/25 Head Start programs around the nation are continuing to re-open, some more quickly than others. As of today, Head Start sites in 13 states plus Puerto Rico are …

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