News & Resources
FEATURED PRIORITIES
Appropriations FY2027
For FY2027, Congress should protect, prioritize, and expand these investments in programs including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Early Head Start/Head Start, and the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5).
Child Care is an Affordability Issue
“Affordability anxiety” is particularly high for parents of young children, where child care consistently stands out as one of the most significant and unavoidable expenses.
Modernizing Child Care
Modernizing the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is essential to ensuring more working families can access the quality, affordable child care care they need.
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. We are focused on continuing to bolster overall support for this essential program at the federal level.
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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 …
The Impact of PDG B-5 Grants: State Progress and What’s at Risk
The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) program is a $315 million competitive federal grant that supports states by building upon existing federal, state, and local early learning …
The First Five Things to Know About: Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5)
Due to limited budgets and capacity, many states struggle to support the important activities – like data collection, research, infrastructure development, and other quality initiatives – that can make their …
FFYF’S Sarah Rittling Named to TIME’s Inaugural Visionaries List
Washington, D.C. – TIME named First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling to the inaugural TIME Visionaries list recognizing leaders driving meaningful impact in the lives of children across …
PDG B-5: Success Stories from the States
Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) is a federal grant that supports quality statewide early childhood services for children from birth through age five. This grant empowers states …
Early Progress Found with Cost-Sharing in Missouri
American families continue to struggle to afford child care. In fact, in a 2026 national poll conducted on behalf of First Five Years Fund, 80% of voters said working parents’ …
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.
First Five Things To Know About: The Child Care Modernization Act
Parents need child care options that meet their family’s unique needs and support their child’s healthy development. Yet today, far too many working families struggle to find and afford the …
Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2027
A chart explaining the funding timeline of FY27 funding decisions from the White House and Congress.
CCDBG: Overview
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act provides federal funding to states for child care subsidies for low-income families with children under age 13.
FFYF Capsule Collection: Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations
A one-stop-shop collection of the top facts, resources, and data around the FY27 Appropriations process.
