FFYF Statement on Child Care, Early Learning in the President’s Budget

WASHINGTON – Today, the White House will release details of President Biden’s FY2024 budget request to Congress, which includes robust discretionary funding for many of the federal early learning programs that support the care and education of America’s children from birth through age five — particularly those living in poverty. His proposal also includes $600 billion in mandatory funding over 10 years for child care ($400 billion) and preschool ($200 billion). 

In response, First Five Years Fund (FFYF) Executive Director Sarah Rittling released the following statement:  

“The White House budget proposal is right to elevate child care and early learning as a priority. Too many parents struggle to find and afford high-quality child care they rely on so they can go to work. America’s federal early learning and care programs were designed to give millions of children access to high-quality learning and developmental opportunities, while enabling more parents to work and support their families. Federal investments included in this budget request could help lower costs for working parents and build an early learning system that meets the needs of families, providers, and our economy.  

“We thank the Biden administration for reaffirming its commitment to making child care and early learning a top priority. The momentum, the need and the political support is ripe for the taking and we hope the President and congressional leaders will work on a path forward that ensures parents who want or need to work aren’t held back by the high cost or inadequate supply of early learning options. We look forward to working with the President and elected officials from both sides of the aisle to address the needs of working families.”