With more than a $1 billion increase in funding, early care and learning was a big winner in in the spending deal announced last night by House and Senate budget writers.
- A Big Funding Win for Early Childhood (NAEYC)
- A Billion Dollar Boost for Child Care and Early Learning (CLASP)
- A Step Forward for Early Learning (National Women’s Law Center)
The 2014 funding bill includes the following early childhood initiatives:
- Head Start: Restores cuts from sequestration and increases funding.
- Child Care: Increases federal funding to help low-income, working parents afford child care.
- Early Intervention: Increases funding for early Intervention services for infants and toddlers.
- Preschool Development Grants: Expands money for Race to the Top to provide grants to states to develop, enhance or expand high-quality preschool programs that include comprehensive services and family engagement for low-income families.
The bill now needs to be voted on by the full House and Senate.
Read more:
- Overview of Congressional Appropriations Bill (Education Week)