By Shira Small

The Trump Administration’s cuts to federal child care and early education programs and staff are putting children, families, and the economy at risk. Children are already losing access to care, the remaining federal workforce is overburdened, child care providers are losing their jobs, communication channels are being eliminated, and parents are experiencing uncertainty over whether they will have care tomorrow. All of this upheaval only exacerbates the existing access and affordability crisis facing the child care sector, particularly for families with low incomes and families of color who face disproportionate barriers to access as the result of systemic racial and economic injustice.

The chaos began in late January when the administration froze federal funding, which locked Head Start providers and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administrators out of the websites they use to access grants. This contributed to dozens of Head Start programs closing temporarily. Though the funds were restored, program administrators received limited to no communication about whether they would be able to access the grants needed to keep their programs open and their providers paid.

In the months that followed, the administration took a number of additional actions that are harming programs, families, and providers, including:

Laying of federal employees. Probationary staff at the Office of Head Start (OHS) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) were laid off in February, resulting in a reduction of approximately 20 percent of staff. This was followed by the mass layoffs announced on April 1, resulting in an overall reduction of 40-50 percent of staff in OHS and OCC and the closure of five regional offices, which provided training and technical assistance, administrative support in ensuring grants reached facilities, and served as a liaison between program administrators and the federal government. These offices in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle oversaw grantees in 23 states and five territories, and comprised half of the total regional offices across the country.

Impounding funds. Recent data shows that nearly $1 billion fewer dollars have been disseminated to Head Start programs compared to this time last year. The exact cause for this is unclear. Whether this is an intentional decision or the result federal workforce cuts, the reduction causes confusion and strain for already underfunded programs.

An Executive Order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Head Start grantees received a directive in mid-March from the Acting Assistant Secretary at the Administration for Children and Families saying that no funds will be approved for program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Given Head Start’s core commitment to these values, it is unclear what the implications will be for the children, families, and staff in their programs.

Proposing the elimination of Head Start. Recent news indicates that President Trump will propose complete elimination of Head Start in his forthcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal.

Impact on Children, Families, Providers, and the Economy

Children and families are paying the price for these actions. Head Start serves over 750,000 children and CCDF, administered within OCC, subsidizes care for 1.4 million children annually, according to the most recent available data. Longstanding economic and racial inequities mean that families of color, particularly Black and Latino families, will be hit the hardest by these cuts, compounded by the administration’s degradation and removal of DEI programs that are intended to advance equity.

We are already seeing the direct impacts on children and families. Head Start programs in Washington have had to shut down because of the loss of federal support. As a result, 400 preschool children are without care and 70 staff members have been laid off. Even more children are at risk of losing care as the House and Senate make decisions on which programs will be impacted by the recently passed budget resolution, which calls on committees to slash funding for programs supporting families with low incomes to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. These cuts are attacks on families with low incomes, the child care workforce, and the economy, and Congress must push back.

The child care sector is one of many under assault by the current administration, and widespread federal funding cuts and layoffs will only worsen existing racial and economic inequalities. The racial wealth gap is widening, wealth inequality is growing, and the cost of living is rising — and the Trump Administration is eliminating the policies that support families with low incomes and families who face racial injustice. This administration may want to enrich the wealthy, but CLASP is fighting back to defend the programs that help children and families thrive.