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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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Videos

First Five Questions For Reps. Tenney and Schneider

April 11, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) hosted Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Il) as part of our First Five Question Series – a monthly …

Factsheets

The First Five Things to Know About: The Child Care Investment Act 2023

April 8, 2024

Millions of working families with young children need quality child care, but affordable, reliable options can be hard to find. Without it, many parents are forced to miss work or …

Policy Letters

Joint Statement: In Support of Tax Relief for Child Care

January 30, 2024

By enhancing the Child Tax Credit, the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 would help more families afford the everyday expenses of raising children. The …

Factsheets

The First Five Things To Know About: A New Poll Showing Voter Support For Child Care Funding

July 16, 2023

In July 2023, Public Opinion Strategies completed a poll on behalf of the First Five Years Fund, examining voter attitudes toward the issue of child care and early childhood education …

Factsheets

The First Five Things to Know: The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

April 13, 2023

For millions of working parents with small children, child care is a major expense. It is also a necessary expense, as many parents are unable to work without it. The …

Data & Analysis

On Its Anniversary, Critical Child Care Tax Provision Needs Updating

October 4, 2022

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is the only provision of the tax code specifically created to help parents offset work-related child care expenses. The CDCTC was created …

Data & Analysis

Ahead Of Tax Day, Critical Child Care Tax Provision Needs Updating

April 14, 2022

Tax Day 2022 is Monday, April 18th, and while much attention has been paid to the vitally important Child Tax Credit (CTC) in recent years, there’s another critical provision of …

Data & Analysis

Expanded CDCTC Provides Cost Relief to Families This Tax Season

March 9, 2022

As tax season kicks into high gear, there is one critical tax credit that is the only credit exclusively that helps parents offset the high costs of child care expenses, …

Press Releases & Statements

500+ Organizations from All 50 States Unite Behind Child Care, Paid Leave, and Child Tax Credit in Build Back Better Act

October 8, 2021

WASHINGTON – As negotiations on the budget reconciliation process continue, over 550 organizations have signed onto a letter to Democratic Congressional leaders urging lawmakers to maintain crucial provisions of the …

Data & Analysis

Build Back Better Act: Child Care in the House Ways and Means Committee Package

September 16, 2021

As part of President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda with proposals to create jobs, cut taxes, and lower costs for working families, the House and Senate are considering the Build …

Press Releases & Statements

House of Representatives Advances Budget Resolution to Make Significant Investments in Child Care and Preschool

August 24, 2021

WASHINGTON — Today, the House passed legislation providing instructions and establishing overall funding levels to guide lawmakers as they craft an upcoming budget reconciliation package aimed at addressing the needs …

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