Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2026

Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all of the federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age five. Traditionally, subcommittees within the House and Senate Appropriations Committees develop their own legislation that sets funding levels for the programs within their jurisdiction, which is then taken up by the full Appropriations Committees, and later the full legislative body, before a negotiation process between the two chambers of Congress and ultimately the president’s signature. 

Over the past fifteen years, federal early learning programs have seen steady, significant progress through increased, bipartisan investments from both Congress and the White House.

Below you will find links to charts from previous fiscal years:

• FY25
• FY24
• FY23
• FY22
• FY21
• FY20

The chart below includes final funding levels for the key early learning programs.

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