Statement: Passage of Continuing Resolution

WASHINGTON – Today, Congress passed a bipartisan continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government funded until September 30, 2025, including a temporary extension of critical funding for the core federal early learning and care programs.

Under this CR, funding levels for early childhood education programs like Head Start and the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program will continue operating under current levels.

With the government funded, Congress now turns its focus to funding these programs for FY2026. Investing in child care is both “pro-family” and “pro-work” policy. Federal funding serves as the foundation for America’s child care and early learning programs; this funding supports working families with young children in all 50 states and every Congressional district. In order to continue to serve families, it’s imperative that Congress continue to invest in America’s working families and increase funding for child care and early learning in their next Appropriations package.

Pull Quotes

Federal funding serves as the foundation for America’s child care and early learning programs; this funding supports working families with young children in all 50 states and every Congressional district.

Investing in child care is both “pro-family” and “pro-work” policy.

“Millions of families are facing very real challenges while trying to access and afford the child care they need to go to work. Federal programs like CCDBG and Head Start are pro-family and pro-work; they ensure parents have the options they need while providing a safe place for young children to learn and grow. In order to continue to serve families, lawmakers must further their bipartisan work to provide these critical programs with robust funding in FY2026.” – Sarah Rittling, Executive Director, First Five Years Fund

Reporter Resources

• A letter to OMB Director Russell Vought signed by 40+ organizations with child care funding requests for FY26. 
• A letter sent to the White House signed by 80+ state and national organizations outlining top child care and early learning priorities. 
• 2025 polling shows strong support for federal child care funding. 
  • A wide majority of Republican voters (72%) say increasing federal funding for child care is an important priority and a good use of tax dollars, as do 70% of Independents and 90% of Democrats.
  • And decreasing federal funding for programs is incredibly unpopular; 90% of voters agree that federal funding shouldn’t be decreased, including 84% of Republican voters.

About First Five Years Fund 

The first five years last forever. At First Five Years Fund, we work to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide. Join us at www.ffyf.org.