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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Analysis: The Head Start NPRM
Upon initial review and analysis, this resource represents the proposed changes we believe require additional scrutiny or discussion, raise potential concerns, and could warrant official comment.
Searchable Guide: 2026 Head Start NPRM
FFYF has heard directly from providers, parents, and advocates with questions about what this proposal would actually mean for Head Start. We’ve compiled those questions here, along with clear, straightforward answers.
Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 Head Start NPRM
FFYF has heard directly from providers, parents, and advocates with questions about what this proposal would actually mean for Head Start. We’ve compiled those questions here, along with clear, straightforward answers.
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.
HEARING: House Education and Workforce Subcommittee Hearing Highlights Importance of Federal and State Partnership in Addressing the Child Care Crisis
The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing on September 2, 2026 to highlight how states are leveraging federal, state, and local funds to address the pervasive need for affordable, quality child care.
Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2027
A chart explaining the funding timeline of FY27 funding decisions from the White House and Congress.
FFYF Capsule Collection: Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations
A one-stop-shop collection of the top facts, resources, and data around the FY27 Appropriations process.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: Overview
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures states and territories provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 7.5 million eligible children and youth with disabilities across the country, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
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.
Ohio Voters Agree: Child Care Is an Affordability Issue
New statewide polling shows broad bipartisan agreement that child care is a serious challenge for working families and an issue Ohio’s next governor and legislature have an opportunity to address. …
State Of Play: The Head Start NPRMs (Rules and Regulation Changes)
As part of a “Child Care Reform Package” released on May 11, the Administration issued four separate policy actions: a Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Final Rule, a Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF) Information Memorandum, and a CCDF Dear Colleague Letter.
