Updated 6/22/26: We will continue to update this webpage as the appropriations process unfolds.

Each year, Congress must pass appropriations legislation to fund the federal government including essential early childhood programs. Throughout this process, NAEYC advocates for funding for key federal programs that support children and families’ access to high quality early childhood education opportunities. 

What programs we advocate for and why funding for these programs matter:

Federal ECE programs offer essential funding to help working families afford and access high-quality care and education and supports the livelihoods of early childhood educators. Robust funding increases allow more families to be served by these programs and helps states retain and build a well-compensated, well-prepared, and valued educator workforce. The programs we specifically focus on include:  

• Child Care and Development Block Grant: Helps working families afford and access high-quality early education and supports states’ ability to increase the supply, affordability, and quality of child care programs. 
• Head Start and Early Head Start: High-quality early learning and comprehensive supports that help young children and families achieve short- and long-term success. 
• IDEA Part B (619) Preschool Special Education and Part C Early Intervention: Ensures children with and at-risk for disabilities are identified and supported in thriving and inclusive early childhood education settings. 
• Preschool Development Grant B-5: Helps states implement plans to improve birth through five early childhood education systems. 
• Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools: Supports student parents in accessing the child care supports they need to stay in school and help their children thrive.

Where we are in the appropriations process:

• March: The ECE advocacy community including NAEYC sent a letter to Congressional appropriators to call for increased investments in ECE in fiscal year 2027 
• April: White House released their FY27 budget proposal including: 
  • Flat funding for CCDBG and Head Start 
  • Moderate $50 million increase for IDEA Early Intervention 
  • Proposed consolidation of IDEA Preschool Special Education with other special ed funding 
  • Proposed elimination of PDG B-5 and CCAMPIS 
• June: House Appropriations Committee approved their FY27 Labor-H bill including: 
  • Small $10 million increases for CCDBG, Head Start, and IDEA Early Intervention 
  • Flat funding for IDEA Preschool Special Education 
  • Proposed elimination of PDG B-5 
  • Flat funding for CCAMPIS 
• TBD: Senate will agree on their budget spending limits before the Labor-H Subcommittee releases their FY27 proposal 
• September 30: Fiscal Year 2026 funding expires 

Proposed funding levels: 

Please note that the FY27 figures below are proposed numbers as the appropriations process is still ongoing. We will continue to update this table as the appropriations process unfolds.

Make your voice heard!

Congress needs to hear from you. Tell Congress to Prioritize and Invest in Early Childhood Education in FY 2027. 

Resources 

• Budget and Appropriations  
• Zooming In on the President’s Budget: What It Means for ECE 
• NAEYC statement on White House FY27 budget proposal’s failure to invest in early educators, children and families   
• NAEYC Federal Policy Agenda