News & Resources
FEATURED PRIORITES
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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New Report Shows Nearly Half of All Young Children Live in Child Care Deserts
The Center for American Progress recently released a report updating their data on the current state of our nation’s child care supply, as well as a map that provides a visual representation of child care deserts across the country.
“Child Care Makes It Work!” Reception on Capitol Hill
On May 20, First Five Years Fund hosted “Child Care Makes Things Work,” a bipartisan reception celebrating the essential role child care plays in supporting working families, businesses, and the economy.
VIDEO: The Child Care Modernization Act
The bipartisan Child Care Modernization Act would enable states to better meet the growing child care needs of working families, providers, and employers.
The Friday Five: The Latest Child Care and Early Learning News
The child care and early learning news you don’t want to miss. Check here for updates every Friday for the latest information you need to know.
State Of Play: Rules and Regulations
On May 11, 2026, the Administration released two announcements specific to child care and early learning at the federal level through the “Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)” process. Here’s what to know.
Celebrating Mother’s Day and Provider Appreciation Day with the FFYF Team
With Mother’s Day this Sunday and Provider Appreciation Day on May 8th, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the important partnerships between mothers, child care providers, and early educators. Child …
TOOLKIT: CCDBG Fact Sheets
MESSAGE: CCDBG helps working families with young children afford child care. FFYF’s new fact sheets have data and information on how CCDBG works in each state. Please help share these …
NIEER’s New State of Preschool Yearbook Highlights State Progress and Challenges
The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) released their 2025 State of Preschool Yearbook, which offers a comprehensive analysis of state-funded preschool programs during the 2024-2025 school year. Currently …
Child Care Across America: 2026 CCDBG State Fact Sheets
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the federal government’s primary child care assistance program, helping more than a million children from lower-income families afford the care they …
House Passes SEED Act, Extending Educator Tax Deduction to Early Childhood Educators for the First Time
The Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation would extend the existing federal educator expense tax deduction to early childhood educators, allowing …
The Cost of Raising a Child Tops $300K, and Child Care Is a Major Driver
A new analysis from LendingTree finds the cost of raising a child in the U.S. now exceeds $300,000 over 18 years, highlighting the enormous financial pressure families face.
