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 care helps change that—giving young children vital opportunities to learn and grow while also strengthening family finances, supporting a thriving workforce, and fueling our economy.
Each year, Congress sets funding levels through the appropriations process, which serves as the backbone for early learning and care in every state. These decisions directly shape the options available to families by supporting programs like CCDBG, Head Start and Early Head Start, PDG B-5, and others. Together, these investments make a meaningful difference for children, families, and employers in every state and congressional district across the country.
This long-standing, bipartisan commitment has helped build and sustain child care systems nationwide, but there is more work to do. Today, funding reaches only a portion of eligible families, leaving many without access to the care they need. By protecting and prioritizing these investments and continuing to build on them, Congress can help ensure more families and young children benefit from the care they rely on.
Current
Status
Learn more on the FFYF FY2027 featured priority page.
- March 17: FFYF’s hosts “FFYF’s ABCs of Federal Early Learning” briefing on the Hill for Members and staff.
- March 25: The child care and early learning community sends Congressional appropriators a Community Letter calling for increased funding in FY27
- March 27: Deadline for House Dear Colleague letters in support of FY27 child care and early learning funding.
- April 3: White House Budget Proposal released
- April 20: Democratic Senators submit a Dear Colleague letter in support of federal funding for child care and early learning programs.
- June/July: Potential markup from Appropriators (with initial decisions on funding levels)
- September 30: End of the Fiscal Year. Congress must either pass a spending package by midnight, a temporary “Continuing Resolution,” or face a government shutdown.
