• I too want a smaller federal debt and a stronger economy. But those goals cannot be achieved by making cuts to the programs that help America prosper and children and families reach their potential, such as child care; Head Start; and other education, nutrition, and health programs for vulnerable children. These programs already fail to reach all the eligible children – we shouldn’t make it harder for more children and families.

• I am pleased that some positive changes were made to raising revenue in the first fiscal cliff but it was only a first step on fair revenue. Any new agreement must include fair revenue increases for those who have benefitted while important programs have been unable to grow. Tax cuts, just like direct spending, are a sign of our nation’s priorities. Children and families, particularly those in low- and moderate- income families, should be at the top and not at the bottom of our national budget priorities.

• Quality child care and other early childhood education programs have real costs. When federal funding levels for child care and other education are far below the actual costs of quality services, bad choices are made for our children. Further cuts will mean fewer children served and fewer programs able to sustain quality services.

• Further cuts to child care, Head Start, education and child nutrition hurt not only children, but also our communities and the nation. Economists say that investments in quality early childhood education brings back more savings from lower special education placements, lower juvenile crime, and more success in school and life. When we do not invest in early childhood education, we put all of us and our economy at risk.

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What Federal Funds Pay for in Early Childhood Education

Glossary of Terms

State-by-State Cuts to Programs

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