Policy Priority
Posts
Tax Policy and Child Care
Overview Strong funding is essential to strengthening child care in the United States, but updating provisions of the federal tax code is also an important part of the solution. These …
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.
Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5)
Due to limited budgets and capacity, many states struggle to support important activities like data collection, research, infrastructure development, and other quality initiatives that ensure child care and early learning …
Budget and Appropriations
Child care is an essential part of life for millions of families with young children, yet it can be difficult to find and afford. Federal support for early learning and …
Early Head Start/Head Start
Head Start is a federal program that delivers comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to lowest-income families with young children who are experiencing poverty. Head Start Preschool …
Maternal, Infant, & Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV)
The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program provides funding to pair families who have limited support and resources with trained home visitors such as nurses, social workers, …
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the nation’s K-12 education law prioritizing equal access to education, was reauthorized by Congress at the end of 2015 as the Every Student Succeeds …
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is the second largest source of public funding for child care in the United States. TANF provides grants to states to help …
Legislative Updates
Increasing access to quality, affordable child care remains a unifying issue with strong bipartisan support. The current Congress has multiple bipartisan bills designed to support working families, improve the early …
2026 Early Head Start and Head Start
Across the early learning landscape, the Head Start Program is upheld as a benchmark for high quality early learning and care
Modernizing Child Care
Families need affordable child care options that meet their unique needs and support their children’s healthy development. The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the largest source of …
Appropriations FY2027
Each year, Congress determines funding levels for federal programs that support the care and education of young children. These investments are essential for working families, early educators, and the healthy …
