Skip Navigation

early learning

Press Releases & Statements

STATEMENT: FFYF’s Sarah Rittling on proposed expansion of child care tax credits

June 17, 2025

On Monday afternoon, the Senate released the text of their bill to reauthorize the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This version contains updates to tax credits which will …

Data & Analysis

Overview: White House Budget Request, FY2026

June 17, 2025

On May 30, the White House released its official budget request for Fiscal Year 2026, with supplemental information following a week later in the Congressional Justification for the newly renamed …

Policy Letters

Letter: Senate Finance Committee urged to prioritize child care tax credits

June 13, 2025

In a show of support, 64 local Chambers of Commerce, national organizations, and employers joined First Five Years Fund and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a letter calling on …

Data & Analysis

Child Care Number of the Week

May 29, 2025

Updated each week with the latest child care and early learning stats you need to know.

Data & Analysis

2025 FFYF Federal Guide to Early Learning and Care Programs

May 29, 2025

The 119th Congress has the opportunity to invest in America’s children, working families, and the economy through high-quality child care and early childhood education. This resource book is an introduction …

Policy Letters

APPROPRIATIONS: FY2026 Dear Colleague Letters

May 28, 2025

Each year, Members of Congress submit letters requesting robust funding for child care and early learning programs. Historically, letters requesting funding for child care have been bipartisan and incredibly popular. …

Data & Analysis

New Resource Reveals Notable Changes in Price and Supply of Child Care

May 16, 2025

This week, Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) released their annual report, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply, which provides updated data on the current child care landscape …

Events & Hearings

Webinar: How we can help protect and prioritize funding for child care

May 13, 2025

This week, FFYF, Child Care Aware of America, NAEYC, and the National Head Start Association hosted an inside look at the Congressional Appropriations process, which funds our nation’s main child …

Events & Hearings

FFYF Hosts Child Care and Early Learning Briefing on Capitol Hill

May 7, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) hosted Congressional staff for its annual bipartisan “ABCs of Federal Child Care and Early Learning” briefing. The session focused on the …

Data & Analysis

ACF: How Early Learning Programs Align With Executive Order on School Choice

May 5, 2025

Last week, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued two Information Memorandums (IM) and one Dear Colleague Letter addressing …

Data & Analysis

NIEER Releases Their Annual Report on the State of Preschool

May 2, 2025

This week, the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) released their 2024 State of Preschool Yearbook, offering a comprehensive analysis of state-funded preschool programs during the 2023-2024 school year. …

Press Releases & Statements

Statement: FFYF’s Sarah Rittling on Initial White House Budget Request for FY26

May 2, 2025

This morning, the White House released a letter providing President Trump’s recommendations on discretionary funding levels for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Also known as the “skinny budget,” the letter contains …

Stay Updated

Receive monthly updates on the latest news, policy, and actions to advance federal investment in children and their families.