Appropriations FY2027

State
of Play

What’s Happening

Congress is currently determining funding levels for essential federal child care and early learning programs, including:

• Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): The largest source of federal funding for child care. Congress sets funding levels; states have flexibility in how funds support families and providers in their communities.  
• Early Head Start/Head Start: Delivers comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services for eligible children and their families.  
• Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5): Help states strengthen, align, and expand their early learning systems. 

The Ask

In a letter, the child care community has asked Appropriators for these funding levels in FY27: 

• CCDBG: Increase of at least $3.57 billion, for a total of at least $12.4 billion
• Early Head Start/Head Start: Increase of at least $1.91 billion for a total of at least $14.27 billion
• PDG B-5: At least $315 million

By the Numbers

Federal funding creates the foundation for child care and early learning in the United States. 

•  $31.30 billion: Annual federal funding (mandatory and discretionary) for child care and early learning programs.
• $15.36 billion: Annual state match spending for child care and early learning programs.

In a 2026 nationwide poll, voters across the political spectrum strongly support federal funding for child care and early learning. Nearly three out of four voters (74%) say federal funding for child care and early learning is a good use of tax dollars, including: 

• 53% of Republicans
• 77% of Independents
• 93% of Democrats.

2026 TIMELINE

• June 5: The House Appropriations Committee approved the Labor-H bill. See all proposed funding levels for child care and early learning programs here. 
• June 4: The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H) Appropriations Subcommittee released its FY2027 funding proposal, including:
  • Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): $10 million increase at $8.8 billion;
  • Early Head Start/Head Start: $10 million increase at $12.3 billion;
  • Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (PDG B-5): Eliminated.
• April 20: Democratic Senators submit a Dear Colleague letter in support of federal funding for child care and early learning programs.
• April 3: White House Budget Proposal released.
• March 27: Deadline for House Dear Colleague letters in support of FY27 child care and early learning funding. Note: The FY27 Dear Colleague letters showed record levels of support for federal child care and early learning programs.
• March 25: 89 National and State organizations submit a letter to Appropriators in support of federal funding for child care and early learning including:
  • CCDBG: Increase of at least $3.57 billion, for a total of at least $12.4 billion
  • Early Head Start/Head Start:Increase of at least $1.91 billion for a total of at least $14.27 billion
  • PDG B-5: At least $315 million
• March 17: FFYF’s hosts “FFYF’s ABCs of Federal Early Learning” briefing on the Hill for Members and staff.  

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.