Funding for Head Start FY2026 Appropriations Process

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.

The House of Representatives approved five full-year spending bills on February 3rd, including funding for child care and early learning as part of Labor–Health and Human Services. The package was signed by President Trump later that day. The FY2026 package included the following spending levels for key programs including $12.357 billion for Head Start, an increase of $85 million.

Linked here is an overview of the FY2026 approved budget.

Learn More

• “Funding for Key Early Learning Programs”: A look at funding requests across all child care and early learning programs for the FY2026 appropriations process.
• FFYF Capsule Collection – Head Start: Resources and data about Head Start at the national, state, and district level.