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 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.

In March of 2024, the White House released details of President Biden’s FY2025 budget request to Congress, which includes increased funding for many federal early learning programs, with increases for programs including an additional $500 million for CCDBG and an additional $544 million for Head Start. The Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) program, however, includes a $65 million decrease from FY24 funding levels. In addition, the White House FY25 budget includes $14.9 billion in mandatory funding over 10 years for initiatives to expand access to high quality child care ($9.9 billion) and preschool ($5 billion).

FFYF commends Congress’ commitment to making child care and early learning a top priority. The chart below includes proposed funding levels for several key early learning programs.

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