Early Childhood

Quality early education is a game-changer, with a proven track record of reducing educational disparities that would otherwise hold back disadvantaged students. But the high cost of private pre-Kindergarten – about the same as annual tuition at a public university – and insufficient federal investments in Head Start puts quality early education out of reach for millions of children. First Focus advocates a federal-state partnership, modeled on the successful Children’s Health Insurance Program, which would improve both quality and affordability.
Resources
What’s at stake for kids if Congress doesn’t pass Build Back Better
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Conor Sasner, Elaine Dalpiaz, Haley Winter, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez, First Focus Campaign for Children | December 22, 2021 |
As negotiations have stalled and the fate of the Build Back Better Act hangs in the balance, children stand to lose access to monthly …
Congress has a chance to get child care right. They need to take it.
Averi Pakulis, Conor Sasner, Elijah Nishiura | October 6, 2021 |
Once our children celebrate their 5th birthday, they are welcomed into a public school system that can provide valuable benefits to them and their …
WATCH: The American Families Plan: What does it mean for kids? | #ChildrensWeek2021
Michele Kayal | June 14, 2021 |
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today urged viewers during the first event of Children’s Week 2021 to “be a voice for children” by writing …
Letter: The first — and next — 100 days
Bruce Lesley | May 4, 2021 |
First Focus on Children sent the following letter to President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris congratulating them on the achievements of their …
Fact Sheet: The REAL impact of COVID-19 on kids
| April 22, 2021 |
Way back at the beginning of this pandemic, a narrative took hold that kids are not affected. Now, more than a year in, it …
Letter: Create a plan for all children to be vaccinated
| April 21, 2021 |
First Focus on Children sent the following letter to President Joe Biden as well as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra and …
The nation needs a plan to vaccinate students
Averi Pakulis, Conor Sasner | April 16, 2021 |
President Biden has introduced a massive infrastructure plan that would, among other things, invest $100 billion in building and restoring American public schools. In …
Fact Sheet: Kids and the American Rescue Plan
| March 30, 2021 |
The American Rescue Plan marks the biggest policy gain for children in the United States in decades. The comprehensive COVID-19 relief package passed by …
More than ever, we need Champions for Children — these are policymakers meeting the moment
Bruce Lesley, First Focus Campaign for Children | February 4, 2021 |
Our nation’s children face multiple challenges to their well-being stemming from years of a declining share of federal investments in their future, the COVID-19 …
An open letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris From America’s children
Bruce Lesley, Christine Cully | January 20, 2021 |
Dear President Biden and Vice President Harris: Congratulations on rising to our nation’s highest offices. We’ve been talking to America’s children about what the …