FFYF Capsule Collection: Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations

Overview

Each year, Congress determines funding levels for all federal defense and non-defense discretionary programs, including those that support the care and education of children from birth through age five. Over the past fifteen years, federal early learning programs have seen steady, significant increases through increased, bipartisan investments from both Congress and the White House. 

These funds provide the backbone of child care and early learning in our nation. Annually, nearly $31.30 billion in federal mandatory and discretionary funds support early care and education for children birth to five, compared to $15.36 billion in state match spending.  

• 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. 

Key Info

Committees 

The initial spending bill for child care and early learning programs is overseen by the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education and Related Agencies subcommittee (or “Labor-H”). 

• Senate Appropriators: Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA). Labor-H Subcommittee Chair Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) 
• House Appropriations: Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK), Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). Labor-H Subcommittee Chair Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) 

2026 Dates 

• March: Deadlines for Dear Colleague letters in support of FY27 child care and early learning funding. Note: The House and Senate operate on different deadlines. These will be updated as new letters are circulated.    
  • March 13: Deadline for House Members to sign onto the Dear Colleague letter supporting funding for CCDBG (Democratic) 
  • March 18: Deadline for House Members to sign onto Dear Colleague letters supporting funding for Head Start (Democratic) and CCAMPIS (Democratic) 
• March: Potential release of the annual White House budget proposal.  
• March 17: FFYF’s hosts “FFYF’s ABCs of Federal Early Learning” briefing on the Hill for Members and staff.  
• September 30: End of the Fiscal Year. Congress must pass a spending package by midnight. 

Letters 

• FY27 Early Learning and Child Care Appropriations Letters: Dear Colleague letters from Republicans and Democrats with funding asks for child care and early learning programs. 
• Community letter (coming soon) 

Ask 

• Please urge your Members of Congress to sign on to Dear Colleague letters, building overall support for prioritizing federal funding for child care and early learning programs. Take action here! (Coming soon.) 

Resources 

From topline to in-depth, these resources can be used in meetings with staffers, with reporters, or simply to get up to speed on the importance of federal funding to child care and early learning.  

• ABCs of Federal Early Learning Programs: Contains an overview of each of the federally funded early learning and care programs. 
• Federal Funding is Foundational: The federal government provides the majority of public funding needed to undergird the  child care in the United States. 
• Polling – In this 2026 polling, 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, and 93% of Democrats.  
• Video – ABCs of Federal Early Learning Programs: This 2-minute video explains how federal funding helps families find and afford quality child care and early learning programs for their young children. 
• FY27 Key Early Learning Programs (coming soon) 

Events 

• FFYF’s ABCs of Federal Early Learning briefing, March 17, 2026. (Recap coming soon!) 

Looking Back: FY26 

• FY26 Capsule Collection: Links to all of the updates and resources used during the FY26 Appropriations process.  
• FY26 State of Play: Track what happened and when 
• Key Early Learning Programs FY26: Funding levels across key programs, including initial levels proposed by the community, White House, House, and Senate as well as what was included the final spending package. 
• FY26 Early Learning and Child Care Appropriations Letters: Dear Colleague letters from Republicans and Democrats with funding asks for child care and early learning programs.