Another Possible Government Shutdown: What it could mean for Early Childhood Education

Over the past several days, conversations in Washington have become increasingly tense as Congress works to finalize federal funding.

The current continuing resolution, which keeps the government funded, ends this Friday, January 30.

It passed in November and ended the last shutdown. In addition to passage of the continuing resolution, some regular appropriations were also passed at the same time. It included funding for the remainder of the fiscal year for the food assistance program SNAP, the Department of Agriculture, the FDA, military construction, Veterans Affairs, and Congress itself (that is, through Sept. 30, 2026).

As these negotiations stall, the likelihood of a government shutdown grows. The phrase “government shutdown” can understandably cause anxiety, especially within the early childhood education (ECE) field, which has already been navigating funding cliffs, workforce shortages, and increased operational demands over recent months.

At the moment, Congress is working to pass a large federal funding package that covers several critical sectors of the federal government, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, Labor, and Homeland Security. While most ECE-related funding flows through HHS (primarily via the Office of Head Start and the Child Care and Development Fund), negotiations have become complicated following recent events involving ICE and the deaths of civilians, immigration enforcement, and Department of Homeland Security appropriations.

It’s important to emphasize : a shutdown has not yet happened. Negotiations are ongoing, and Congress has several options to avoid or limit disruption, such as short-term continuing resolutions (CRs). If a shutdown were to occur, impacts would likely vary depending on how programs are funded. Historically, programs funded through mandatory or advance appropriations often continue operating during a shutdown. Programs that rely on annual discretionary funding or federal staff support may experience delays, slower processing, or interruptions in oversight or technical assistance. Administrative functions (such as federal payments, approvals, or guidance) can also take longer, even if program funding itself remains available.

For many ECE providers, the biggest impact during past shutdowns hasn’t been an immediate loss of funding, but rather uncertainty, confusion, and delays. All of which we fully recognize makes running programs more difficult. If you’re feeling uncomfortable or unsettled, please remember that we are here to help guide you through this. It can also be grounding to remember that, while shutdowns are disruptive, they are usually temporary. 

EveryChild CA is closely monitoring developments in Washington and staying in communication with partners and policymakers. As things evolve, we’ll continue to share updates focused on what matters most to early childhood providers. If there are concrete changes that affect funding, operations, or families, you’ll hear from us. Thank you for your work. Early childhood education is a stabilizing force for children, families, and communities, and that remains true no matter what’s happening on Capitol Hill.