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).

In July of 2024, the House Appropriations Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies released its proposed funding levels for child care and early learning programs, including an additional $25 million for CCDBG and an additional $25 million for Head Start. The House proposed a $65 million cut to PDG B-5 and the elimination of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program. 

On August 1, the Senate released its Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill, which included a $2.3 billion increase in funding for early learning programs. The Senate increased CCDBG funding by $1.6 billion (18%) over FY24, to a total of $10.35 billion. It also provided $12.97 billion for Head Start, a $700 million increase over FY24. The Senate proposed keeping the funding level for PDG B-5 and increasing funding by $5 million for CCAMPIS, after it was eliminated in the House.

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.

DownloadEarly Learning Funding for Key Programs FY2025 7.9.24 (374.86 kB)