2026 Early Head Start and Head Start

The Latest

For a deeper dive with highlights, resources, and more, check out the FFYF State of Play.

On  August 6, 2026,  the Administration released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Head Start.  Here is the FFYF Statement from FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling.

• The proposed rule is open for a 60-day public comment period, providing stakeholders with the opportunity to review the proposal and submit feedback through the official comment portal. (The 60-day comment period will end at midnight on October 6, 2026.) 
• FFYF has conducted a thorough analysis of the NPRM.
  • FFYF FAQ: Answers to questions asked by providers, parents and advocates about what the NPRM would mean, including what would change and what would stay the same.
  • FFYF Searchable Guide: A line-by-line deep dive into the NPRM, with links to associated statute and regulations.
  • Analysis: This list represents the proposed changes we believe require additional scrutiny or discussion, raise potential concerns, and could warrant official comment.
• Other helpful resources include:
  • The Core Elements of Head Start: A document highlighting the foundational pillars that define the Head Start program.
  • Polling Highlights: Head Start polling from 2025-2026 shows strong support across all political and geographical demographics.
• And for more on the program itself:
  • A Head Start Overview
  • Snapshot: Populations Served
  • Snapshot: Comprehensive Services
  • Snapshot: Early Head Start
• Finally, for links to original sources:
  • And here are links to original source materials, as located on the official federal government websites.  
  • The Head Start Act: The federal law that authorizes and governs Head Start.
  • Head Start Performance Standards: The full list of official performance standards that currently (pre-NPRM) shape Head Start.
  • The Head Start NPRM: Released August 7, 2026, this contains proposed changes to Head Start rules and regulations.

BY THE NUMBERS

• 15,000: Early Head Start/Head Start centers operating nationwide, serving families in every Congressional district
• $27,320 or less: Income level at which a family of three qualifies for Head Start 
• 70%: Parents employed, in school, or in job training

In recent polling, the Head Start program had strong support across party lines, including: 

• 87% of all voters
• 84% of Republican voters
• 84% of Independent voters
• 94% of Democratic voters

2026 TIMELINE

• August 5, 2026: The Administration releases a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Head Start with a 60-day comment period for constructive feedback from organizations. (The 60-day comment period will end at midnight on October 5, 2026.) We’ll continue to share updates through our NPRM State of Play.
• June 9th: The House Appropriations Committee approved the Labor-H bill with its proposed increase for Early Head Start/Head Start.
• June 4: The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H) Appropriations Subcommittee released its FY2027 funding proposal, proposing a $10 million increase for Early Head Start/Head Start.
• May 12: Restoring Flexibility to Support Head Start Program Access and Quality is published. Read FFYF’s “State of Play” here. 
• May 11: As part of a “Child Care Reform Package”, the Administration issued a Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
• April 3: White House budget released with proposed level funding for Early Head Start/Head start
• March 25: The child care and early learning community sends Congressional appropriators a Community Letter calling for increased funding in FY27 
• March 25: Deadline for House Dear Colleague letters in support of FY27 child care and early learning funding. 

What’s Next:

• Floor vote on House Labor-H proposal
• Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee releases its proposal.
• September 30: End of the Fiscal Year. Congress must pass a spending package by midnight, a temporary “Continuing Resolution” to buy more time to pass a package, or face a government shutdown.