On August 6, 2026, the White House released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes significant changes to Head Start and Early Head Start regulations. They propose eliminating many of the components that have made Head Start a successful program, including low child-to-staff ratios, certain services for pregnant and postpartum moms, mental health services, and other comprehensive supports.

There is now a 60-day public comment period during which stakeholders can review the proposal and submit feedback. The Administration is required to review all public comments before issuing a final rule, so according to the First Five Years Fund and other national advocacy organizations, this provides a real opportunity to shape the proposed changes before they take effect. Public comments can be made on the Federal Register website.

Updates about these regulations are available on the First Five Years blog.

As Susan Gale Perry, the Chief Executive Officer of Child Care Aware of America, notes, “Child Care Aware of America is doing its due diligence to carefully review the Administration’s plan to make significant changes to Head Start. Our early read raises real concerns. While we welcome changes that reduce bureaucratic paperwork and unnecessary burdens on Head Start grantees, we will not support any proposals that do away with what we know children facing the most barriers need for their healthy development and learning.

For more than 60 years, Head Start has earned bipartisan support because it produces real and measurable benefits for children and families—in healthy development, educational attainment, and economic well-being. Any changes to Head Start should build on that record, not undermine it.”