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Head Start Program Core Elements
Over its 60-year history, Head Start has adhered to essential quality components. There are 5 Core Elements fundamental to the program’s continued effectiveness and impact.
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 …
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 …
‘After Hours Child Care Act’ aims to help more working parents
Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), along with Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), have introduced the After Hours Child Care Act, which would improve access …
FFYF Recap: Senate HELP Committee Hearing
Restoring Integrity: Preventing Fraud in Child Care Assistance Programs OVERVIEW February 12, 2026 – The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee convened a hearing focused on child care …
New Report Finds the Economic Impact of Child Care Challenges Totals $172 Billion Annually
Reliable access to child care is essential to a strong economy. For families around the country, money feels tight and the cost of daily life has become harder to manage. …
STATEMENT: FY2026 Funding Bill Boosts Federal Investment in Child Care and Early Learning
UPDATE – 2/3/26 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: The House of Representatives voted this afternoon, 217–214, to approve five full-year spending bills, including funding for child care and early learning as part …
First Five Things to Know About: 2026 National Child Care Poll
New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies …
