Press Releases & Statements
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STATEMENT: SEED Act Passes Into Law
The bipartisan Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act is set to become law, marking a key bipartisan victory for early childhood educators and an important step forward for federal child care policy.
STATEMENT: First Five Years Fund’s Sarah Rittling in Opposition to Reported Expansion of Eligibility for Federal Child Care Subsidy
According to recent reporting in the New York Times, the White House is considering a new rule that expands eligibility of the federal child care subsidy program to now include married couples with one stay-at-home parent. This is a statement from First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling.
STATEMENT: Bipartisan SEED Act Passes Senate
The SEED Act would allow early childhood educators to receive a tax deduction for a portion of out-of-pocket classroom expenses, just like K-12 educators can.
STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on Proposed Head Start Rule
This morning, the White House released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing changes to regulations governing the Head Start program.
Statement: House Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act to Strengthen Child Care Options for Working Families
Representatives Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Susie Lee (D-NV), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) today introduced the Child Care Modernization Act.
STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on Proposed FY27 House Funding Levels for Child Care and Early Learning Programs
On June 4th, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee released its FY2027 funding proposal, including federal investments in child care and early learning …
FFYF Statement on H.R.7726: Concerns and Recommendations around Accountability and Access
First Five Years Fund appreciates Congressional efforts to build upon the current oversight structures in CCDF to help ensure these funds are used as intended to support working families with young children. However, FFYF has significant concerns with H.R. 7726, the “Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026.”
House Passes SEED Act, Extending Educator Tax Deduction to Early Childhood Educators for the First Time
UPDATE: The SEED Act saw final passage on September 16, 2026. Moving forward, pre-K teachers and other childhood educators will now be able to deduct the same out-of-pocket classroom expenses as …
FFYF Statement on White House Budget Proposal, FY2027
This morning, the White House released President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The budget includes level funding for Child Care and Development Block Grant …
‘After Hours Child Care Act’ aims to help more working parents
Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), along with Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), have introduced the After Hours Child Care Act, which would improve access …
STATEMENT: FY2026 Funding Bill Boosts Federal Investment in Child Care and Early Learning
UPDATE – 2/3/26 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: The House of Representatives voted this afternoon, 217–214, to approve five full-year spending bills, including funding for child care and early learning as part …
JOINT STATEMENT: National Organizations on Federal Child Care Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal state partnership that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families with young children to afford …
