Center for American Progress

Donate

Head Start

For more than 60 years, Head Start has been a cornerstone of early education, serving nearly 40 million children. It provides high-quality early learning and comprehensive support to low-income families, preparing children for school, enhancing public health, and boosting local and state economies.

Head Start plays a vital role in addressing gaps in child care, especially in rural areas where licensed options are scarce. As a significant employer and a high-quality care provider that enables parents to pursue work, education, or job training, it substantially contributes to economic stability and growth.

Operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Tribal nations, and several U.S. territories, Head Start is a federal-to-local program deeply embedded in communities. Services are delivered through centers, homes, schools, nonprofit and community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations. Despite enduring challenges, Head Start maintains strong bipartisan support and remains a proven model for high-quality early learning.

Related Team
Education
Early Childhood Policy

Featured content

Featured Experts

More Experts

Latest

Compact View

  • Filter by
  • Type
    • Type
    Show Results
  • Date
    • Date
    • Date

    • to

    Custom range Fixed range
  • Topic
    • Topic
    Show Results
  • Toggle Search

  • 14 Results

Clear filters

Head Start Works, but the Trump Administration Is Undermining It Article
Children enrolled in a Head Start program read books together.

Head Start Works, but the Trump Administration Is Undermining It

Proposed changes threaten Head Start’s proven success in a move consistent with the administration’s position on the program—risking job losses, service cuts, and reduced access for vulnerable families.

Hailey Gibbs, Carter Nesmith

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Program Performance Standards Key to Fulfilling the Head Start Promise Article

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Program Performance Standards Key to Fulfilling the Head Start Promise

The Center for American Progress recently submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services opposing a recent rule that would dramatically reduce the standards supporting Head Start governance, quality, and access.

Hailey Gibbs

Trump Rule Changes Would Kneecap Head Start In the News

Trump Rule Changes Would Kneecap Head Start

In an op-ed for The Progressive Magazine, Hailey Gibbs argues that a proposed Trump administration rule change would exacerbate child care shortages, keep educators trapped in poverty-level wages, and ultimately harm children and families.

The Progressive Magazine

Hailey Gibbs

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Wage and Benefits Improvements for Head Start Workforce Article

CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Wage and Benefits Improvements for Head Start Workforce

The Center for American Progress recently submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opposing the revocation of a 2024 rule improving Head Start staff and educator wages and benefits.

Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks

5 Things To Know About Head Start Report
A child from the Hyde Park Head Start program plays under a parachute.

5 Things To Know About Head Start

Head Start provides educational, health, nutritional, and social services to hundreds of thousands of young children and their families every year, playing a critical role in the U.S. early care and learning landscape.

Casey Peeks, Allie Schneider

Load More

Default Opt Ins

Variable Opt Ins

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.