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FEATURED PRIORITIES

Appropriations FY2027

For FY2027, Congress should protect, prioritize, and expand these investments in programs including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Early Head Start/Head Start, and the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5).

Child Care is an Affordability Issue

“Affordability anxiety” is particularly high for parents of young children, where child care consistently stands out as one of the most significant and unavoidable expenses.

Modernizing Child Care

Modernizing the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is essential to ensuring more working families can access the quality, affordable child care care they need.

2026 Early Head Start and Head Start

Head Start has a long history of giving kids a strong start through comprehensive early learning, health, and nutrition services. We are focused on continuing to bolster overall support for this essential program at the federal level.

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Factsheets

FFYF State Fact Sheets: Child Care and Early Learning, 2026

July 21, 2026

FFYF’s 2026 State Fact Sheets on child care and early learning provide state-by-state data for all 50 states and Washington, DC.

Report Highlights

New CAP report on Early Learning and Literacy

July 6, 2026

The Center for American Progress recently released a report highlighting the need for partnership between early childhood and K-12 systems to address declining literacy rates in children.

Press Releases & Statements

STATEMENT: FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling on Proposed FY27 House Funding Levels for Child Care and Early Learning Programs

June 4, 2026

On June 4th, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee released its FY2027 funding proposal, including federal investments in child care and early learning …

In the News

State Of Play: Rules and Regulations

May 11, 2026

As part of a “Child Care Reform Package” released on May 11, the Administration issued four separate policy actions: a Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Final Rule, a Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF) Information Memorandum, and a CCDF Dear Colleague Letter.

Data & Analysis

CAPSULE COLLECTION: Head Start

May 11, 2026

This one-stop-shop collection of the top facts, resources, and data around Head Start and Early Head Start.

Policy Letters

FY2027: Community Letter to Appropriators Calls For increased Funding for Child Care and Early Learning

March 25, 2026

Signed by 87 organizations across 32 states, this letter outlines priorities for the FY27 Appropriations process.

Events & Hearings

FFYF Hosts Bipartisan Child Care and Early Learning Briefing on Capitol Hill

March 17, 2026

FFYF was joined by providers, experts, and a bipartisan pair of Members of Congress in a briefing to highlight child care and early learning programs.

Factsheets

Head Start Program Core Elements

March 10, 2026

This document includes the five elements that are essential to the program’s integrity, as supported by national, regional, and state organizations around the country.

Factsheets

2026: ABCs of Federal Early Learning & Child Care Funding Streams

February 25, 2026

An overview of the top federal child care and early learning programs and how they are funded.

Press Releases & Statements

STATEMENT: FY2026 Funding Bill Boosts Federal Investment in Child Care and Early Learning

February 4, 2026

UPDATE – 2/3/26 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3: The House of Representatives voted this afternoon, 217–214, to approve five full-year spending bills, including funding for child care and early learning as part …

Data & Analysis

Democratic Quotes of Support for Head Start

February 2, 2026

Quotes from Democratic Members of Congress expressing support for Head Start and the impact it has on the communities they serve.

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