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STATE OF PLAY: Federal Shutdown and Child Care/Early Learning Programs
UPDATE: 11/10/25 After 43 days, the federal shutdown has officially ended. In the days ahead, we urge Congress to act quickly to provide increased stability for families by passing a …
Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2026
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 …
FFYF Capsule Collection: Appropriations and Child Care
What Are Appropriations? In A Nutshell EvEven with growing support from states, businesses and philanthropy, federal funding makes up the majority of investment in child care and early learning in …
STATE OF PLAY: Appropriations
Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age five. Traditionally, …
TOOLKIT: Tell Your Member of Congress – Child Care is Critical!
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 …
2025: ABCs of Federal Early Learning and Child Care Funding Streams
Every year, millions of children who range in age from birth through five benefit from an array of federal early learning and care programs. While there are different early learning …
How a Lack of Affordable Child Care Impacts the Economy
Two-thirds of all children ages five and under need some form of child care because all of the adults in their home are working. But child care remains both expensive …
Reauthorization: The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
Reauthorization is an important process that gives Congress the opportunity to revise, adapt, or enhance federal programs to better meet changing needs. While the early learning landscape and needs of …
10 States and DC Receive New Round of PDG B-5 Grants
In September, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced the latest round of Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) grantees. Ten states and Washington, DC received 3-year …
State Of Play: Federal Child Care Solutions Gain Steam Going Into The August Recess
June and July brought a lot of Congressional momentum, with multiple pieces of proposed legislation that would bring better support to more working families and young children who need quality, …
FY2025: Community Letter to Appropriators Calls For Robust Funding for Child Care and Early Learning
WASHINGTON – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) and a coalition of 36 major early education advocacy organizations have a new letter to Congressional appropriators calling for increased funding for …
