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Policy Priority
Child Care and Early Learning Programs

Head Start & Early Head Start

Overview

Head Start is a federal program that delivers comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to families with children who are experiencing poverty. Head Start Preschool serves children ages 3 through 5 and Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers under age 3, pregnant women, and their families. 

Serving nearly 40 million children since its founding in 1965, decades of research shows that participation in Head Start has both short- and long-term positive effects. Children who attend Head Start demonstrate marked academic and social progress, and are more likely to enter kindergarten ready to learn.

The program promotes children’s development and supports parents in their role as children’s first teachers and primary caregivers through a variety of services, including home visiting; parent engagement and support; high-quality child care; and nutrition, health, and behavioral health services.

Current Funding Level: Head Start is funded at $12.27 billion (one appropriation for both programs) for FY2025.

Top
Resources

Resource

CAPSULE COLLECTION: Head Start

September 11, 2025

IN A NUTSHELL The Head Start program has served more than 40 million children in its 60-year history—giving kids a strong start through early learning, health, and nutrition services. Children …

Resource

Head Start and Early Head Start: The Program Overview

May 20, 2025

Head Start is a federally funded program that delivers comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children ages 3 through 5 experiencing  poverty and their families. More …

Resource

The First Five Things to Know About: Head Start In Every Congressional District

May 9, 2025

Head Start has been making a difference in the lives of children and families for more than 60 years. Since its beginning, the program has reached more than 40 million …

Latest
Updates

News

POLLING: Rural Voters on Child Care and Head Start

September 29, 2025

In a new poll from First Five Years Fund, Rural Americans say money is tight, and child care is a significant part of that burden.  The survey shows that the …

News

Head Start Announcement: New Supplemental Funding Available to Boost Nutrition Services

September 23, 2025

UPDATE: On September 23, ACF announced more than $61 million in supplemental nutrition funds to over 290 Head Start grantees across the country. Find the complete list of grantees and …

What You Can Do about
HEAD sTART & eARLY hEAD sTART


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