Understanding the Shutdown’s Impact on Child Care and Families

As of midnight, the federal government has entered a shutdown. While its impact on early childhood education may not be immediate, the risks for children, families, and providers grow each day the stalemate continues.

Why This Matters for Early Learning

Many programs at the heart of early care and education, like Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), depend on federal funding. A shutdown delays that support, either through slowed cash flow to providers, stalled reimbursements for subsidies, or paused assistance from federal agencies.

Here are a few potential implications if the shutdown persists:

• Cash flow interruptions: Providers may face delays in receiving federal funds, making it harder to cover payroll and program expenses.
• Family uncertainty: Parents who depend on child care subsidies could experience disruptions that affect both their work and their children’s stability.
• Reduced support: Federal staff who provide technical assistance and oversight are furloughed, leaving providers without timely guidance or answers.

These ripple effects threaten the stability of the entire early childhood system. The 2018–19 shutdown, which lasted 35 days, showed how quickly the situation can escalate. It forced some Head Start programs to plan for closure, delayed payments across states, and created widespread concern among families and staff.

Staying Informed and Engaged

The First Five Years Fund offers the most current resource on this evolving situation through its State of Play tracker. It provides daily updates on developments in Washington and what they mean for the ECE field. This resource will be invaluable in this current economic situation, and we encourage you to follow it to stay informed and prepared.

Shutdowns highlight how essential early care and education are to our communities. When families face gaps in care and providers are forced to manage uncertainty, it becomes clear that stable, long-term investment is not optional, but downright fundamental.

EveryChild California will continue to monitor the situation, share updates, and advocate for policies that protect children, families, and the professionals who serve them.

Stay informed on the latest budget updates and calls to action at:
www.everychildca.org/legislative-resources

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