The Trump administration is proposing the elimination of funding for Head Start, a decision that would significantly impact early education for over 500,000 of the nation’s most disadvantaged children and reduce child care support for their families. This proposal is part of a 64-page internal draft budget document, seeking substantial cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Head Start program. Currently, the proposal is in a preliminary stage as the White House readies its budget request for the 2026 fiscal year.
The fate of these proposed cuts remains uncertain as Congress often overlooks presidential budget requests. However, this move underscores the administration’s educational priorities as President Donald Trump aims to reform the educational landscape in the United States. The draft states that eliminating Head Start aligns with the administration’s goals of returning educational control to the states and enhancing parental authority. It argues that the federal government should refrain from dictating curriculum, locations, and performance standards.
Since the administration began in January, there has been a pledge to dismantle the Department of Education, a ban on diversity initiatives in schools, and a funding freeze at several elite universities to prompt changes in institutions perceived as liberal and antisemitic. The Head Start program has already faced challenges this year, including layoffs and funding delays, alongside a technical issue that temporarily restricted preschool providers’ access to federal accounts. These interruptions have led some preschools to close temporarily, affecting hundreds of thousands of low-income families who rely on this child care support.
The National Head Start Association expressed deep concern over the proposal, describing it as a significant divestment in the nation’s future. The loss of Head Start funding would be devastating, impacting the well-being of the country’s most vulnerable children and their families. Beyond preschool education, Head Start offers meals and health screenings, helping to ensure that children who might otherwise lag behind have a fair start as they enter kindergarten.
A funding lag since January has resulted in some Head Start classrooms shutting down. Federal funding for the program from January 1 to the current week totals $1.6 billion, compared to $2.55 billion during the same period last year. Senator Patty Murray criticized the delay in funding, attributing it to the administration’s reluctance to support families in need of preschool and health services while offering substantial tax breaks to billionaires.
Senator Murray vowed that Democrats would oppose such a proposal in Congress, emphasizing that Trump’s actions pose a serious threat to Head Start and similar programs. Head Start operates nationwide, providing essential child care for parents working or attending school, highlighting its critical role in supporting both the economy and vulnerable children.
Despite its bipartisan support since its inception under President Lyndon B. Johnson, Head Start faces criticism from some Republicans highlighting its perceived shortcomings. The conservative Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 advocates for the complete elimination of Head Start.
