First Five Years Fund

Our goal is to ensure that all children, especially those from low-income families have access to early childhood opportunities that support their healthy development and help each child reach their full potential. America’s children should have equitable access to high-quality learning experiences with the federal government helping to support those most in need. The overwhelming research demonstrates that high-quality early care and education is a crucial component of a child’s healthy development. This is particularly true when one considers the role of quality early childhood education programs in offsetting sustained toxic stress and adversity often associated with living in poverty. In addition to the important health, nutrition and family economic supports that are vital to young children from birth through age five, quality early childhood education is proven to help kids from low-income families be successful in school, earn higher wages, live healthier lives, raise stronger families, and contribute to society. Unfortunately, low-income families are the least likely to have access to affordable, high-quality options for their children – particularly infants and toddlers. FFYF works to sustain and expand the support for early learning that exists at the federal level, while identifying and advancing new and innovative ways to increase access to quality early childhood education for children from low-income families. We help align best practices with the best possible policies and work with advocacy groups and policymakers on both sides of the aisle to identify federal solutions that work for children, families and taxpayers, as well as states and communities. Early childhood development is a practical, non-partisan issue—so we collaborate with a diverse and wide range of federal and state advocates, business and thought leaders, and policymakers to help build consensus and craft early childhood policies that provide lasting economic and social returns.