For a child, the first five years last forever.
ABCS of Federal Early Learning and Child Care Funding Streams
Every year, millions of children who range in age from birth through five benefit from an array of federal early learning and care programs. While there are different early learning settings and certain programs have distinct requirements, together they form a mixed-delivery system that strives to support the care, education, and healthy development of children, prioritizing children from low-income families, parental choice, and children’s individual needs.
Protect and Expand the CDCTC
We know that Congress will focus on taxes this year. We also know it is crucial that protecting and expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC, or family care credit) is part of that conversation. This important tax credit helps working parents keep more of what they earn to pay for child care and, if it were expanded, could provide real help for families struggling to pay for child care.
Child Care and Early Learning State Fact Sheets
FFYF’s State Fact Sheets from 50 states and Washington, D.C. show how federal investments in child care impact working parents, children, and the economy. Federal funding and programs benefit families nationwide and serve as the foundation for America’s early care and education system.
Latest News
& Resources
Survey Data Supports the Need for Better Access to Child Care for Parents of Infants and Toddlers
Families with infants and toddlers are struggling to find consistent access to child care, according to a March 2025 fact sheet from RAPID. RAPID, based in the Stanford Center on …
Funding for Key Early Learning Programs, FY2025
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 …
Child Care Number of the Week
Updated each week with the latest child care and early learning stats you need to know.
