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FFYF Capsule Collection: Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations
Overview 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. Over the …
FY27 Early Learning and Child Care ‘Dear Colleague’ Letters
The annual appropriations process is an important time for lawmakers to determine their priorities for the next fiscal year. Congress uses this process to allocate funding for federal programs, activities …
2026: ABCs of Federal Early Learning & Child Care Funding Streams
Each year, millions of children from birth through age five benefit from an array of federal early learning and care programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services …
TOOLKIT: FY27 Appropriations
The Ask Congress: Please sign on to “Dear Colleague” letters to show your support for early learning and child care funding. These letters help build momentum for programs like Head …
Head Start Program Core Elements
Over its 60-year history, Head Start has adhered to essential quality components while continuously improving and refining improve and refine its delivery of services through changes in both federal law …
FFYF Briefing Room: Safeguarding Access to Affordable Child Care
March 2, 2026 – The federal child care program has a long history of bipartisan support, with a proven track record in strengthening families, fostering child development, and fueling the …
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. March 13 FY27 appropriations …
New Report Outlines Current Challenges for Family Child Care Providers
The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) recently released their 2025-2026 Annual Survey Report, which provides a national snapshot of the current conditions of family child care (FCC) providers. …
TOOLKIT: Address the Affordability Crisis by Supporting Child Care
Overview President Trump is expected to spotlight the themes of affordability and the economy in his State of the Union Tuesday night, providing an opportunity to underscore how child care …
Child Care Takes Center Stage in 2026 State of the State Addresses as Governors Focus on Affordability and Economic Stability
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 …
119th Congress: Bipartisan Child Care Legislation in the House and Senate
Reliable, affordable child care is essential for hardworking families, especially as two-thirds of all children under the age of five need care because all available parents are working. Yet, high …
