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May 7, 2025

Early DevelopmentEarly LearningState and Local Policy

Early Head Start Helps Families Thrive — Let's Keep It That Way

Every child deserves a strong start, but not every family has equal access to the tools that make it possible. That’s where Early Head Start (EHS) steps in.

For over 25 years, Early Head Start has provided comprehensive services to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in families to set babies up for lifelong success. It’s been proven to work, especially for the families who need it most.

From health and nutrition to early learning and parent support, EHS gives families the stability and structure they need during the most critical time in a child’s life — the first three years, when the brain is making over a million new connections every second.

But despite its power, this program is underfunded. Only 10% of eligible children and families are served by Early Head Start. That means countless babies are left waiting for the support they need to thrive. We must advocate to continue and even expand access to Early Head Start.

This isn’t just about policy. It’s about real babies, real families, and the future we’re all building together.

Latest news and updates

Current events and policy changes can have profound effects on families.

Our federal policy team is deeply involved in shaping decisions that impact the well-being of babies and their families. Stay up-to-date on our latest issues.

By the Numbers

10%

Only 10% of eligible infants and toddlers are served by Early Head Start, leaving the vast majority without access to this proven, comprehensive support.

250k

Nearly 1 in 5 babies in the United States lives in poverty, but Early Head Start is funded to only serve approximately 250,000 children and pregnant women.

Early Head Start was created more than 25 years ago and has consistently shown positive outcomes across child development, school readiness and family self-sufficiency.

If you’re gutting the staff that is overseeing and distributing the funding for a program, you’re going to end up restricting access to the end product, and in this case, that’s high-quality early learning for children. It’s going to be especially acute in rural areas and for children with disabilities.

Melissa boteach, Chief Policy Officer

Early Head Start provides:

Early Head Start combines high-quality child care, home visiting and family support services under one umbrella. This integrated model meets families where they are and adapts to their needs across different settings.

For children

High-quality care and early learning opportunities individualized to child and family needs, in partnership with families, in the setting that families choose
Comprehensive screening, health and mental health care, dental care, nutrition support, and immunizations

For pregnant women

Referrals to prenatal and pediatric care; prenatal and postpartum education; home visits to support newborn transition

For families

Whole-family supports including education on promoting children’s healthy development and provision of or referral to education, employment, health and mental health screenings and services, substance use prevention and treatment, housing assistance, legal services

I love Early Head Start because children get the services they need earlier in life to better prepare them for success.

early head start educator

Resources for parents and professionals

Early Head Start supports healthy development through a two-generation and whole-family approach that includes health care, early learning and parenting support.

Early Head Start Works

EHS programs have significant favorable impacts on a range of parenting outcomes. Explore findings from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project.

Early Head Start: An Essential Support for Pregnant Women, Infants, and Toddlers

This brief outlines the history of the program, the research demonstrating how Early Head Start improves outcomes for children and families, and policy recommendations.

Debunking Myths About Head Start

Decades of research illustrate Head Start’s effectiveness and its ability to meet the unique needs of local communities—along with the crucial role it plays in state and local economies.

The Long-Term Impact of the Head Start Program

In this Economic Analysis, Brookings investigates the impact of Head Start on a new set of long-term outcomes, extending landmark analyses further into adulthood and considering the effect of Head Start on participants’ children.

Children's Schooling and Parents' Behavior: Evidence from the Head Start Impact Study

This study finds that Head Start substantially increases parents’ involvement with their children both during and after the period when their children are potentially enrolled in Head Start.

Gains in Language and Cognitive Scores Among Children in Their First and Second Years of Head Start

This research brief describes the gains children made across a year of Head Start for children returning for their second year of Head Start (second-year children) and children entering their first year (first-year children).

What’s really unique about Head Start is that it affects another set of parents too: those little five-year-olds who graduate from Head Start, grow up, and eventually have children of their own. Head Start graduates when they become parents invest more time and energy in their own children, reporting more frequent use of positive parenting practices as compared to siblings who didn’t attend Head Start.

Rebecca Parlakian, Sr. Programs Director, ZERO TO THREE

How You Can Stand Up for Early Head Start

Everyone has a role in protecting programs that give babies a strong start. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, pediatrician, advocate, or community leader, you can take action.

Tell your story

Personal stories move people. Whether you’ve benefited from Early Head Start or work with families who have, share what it’s meant for a child’s development, a parent’s stability, or a community’s health. Record a video we can amplify in our advocacy efforts.

Reach out to elected officials

Make it clear: cutting Early Head Start is cutting off opportunity for our youngest learners. Contact your members of Congress and local representatives. You don’t need fancy language, just honesty about why this program matters.

Amplify the message

Share resources and facts about Early Head Start with your network—friends, family, coworkers, clients. Help others understand why EHS is essential. Use social media, conversations, or community events to spread the word.

Support families directly

If you’re a professional, help families access Early Head Start and related services. If you’re a parent or caregiver, support other families by sharing what you’ve learned. Advocacy happens not just on Capitol Hill — but at pickup lines, doctor visits, and kitchen tables.

Support our work to give every baby a strong start by donating today. — Advertisement

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August 5, 2025

The Growing Brain Basics Webinar Series

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Join early childhood leaders Sarah Barclay Hoffman and Lynette Aytch for a thoughtful conversation on how reflection, collaboration, and purpose drive impactful leadership and change.

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September 10, 2025

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers

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October 7, 2025

Pre-Conference Forum: In This Together

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October 8, 2025

LEARN Conference 2025

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ResourceAdvocatesParentsProfessionalsPolicy Center24-36 Months

The foundation for lifelong learning is built during the critical early years.

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Early Head Start Helps Families Thrive — Let's Keep It That Way

Every child deserves a strong start, but not every family has equal access to the tools that make it possible. That’s where Early Head Start (EHS) steps in.

Latest news and updates

Current events and policy changes can have profound effects on families.

By the Numbers

Early Head Start provides:

Early Head Start combines high-quality child care, home visiting and family support services under one umbrella. This integrated model meets families where they are and adapts to their needs across different settings.

Resources for parents and professionals

Early Head Start supports healthy development through a two-generation and whole-family approach that includes health care, early learning and parenting support.

Early Head Start Works

Early Head Start: An Essential Support for Pregnant Women, Infants, and Toddlers

Debunking Myths About Head Start

The Long-Term Impact of the Head Start Program

Children's Schooling and Parents' Behavior: Evidence from the Head Start Impact Study

Gains in Language and Cognitive Scores Among Children in Their First and Second Years of Head Start

How You Can Stand Up for Early Head Start

Everyone has a role in protecting programs that give babies a strong start. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, pediatrician, advocate, or community leader, you can take action.

Take action and get updates

Tell Congress to make babies and families a national priority.

Use our tool to contact your representatives and sign up for the latest information and action alerts about policies and events that matter to you!

Upcoming Events and Trainings

Rooted in trauma-informed practices, ZERO TO THREE’s virtual and in-person trainings offer the latest from our experts in early childhood development.

The Growing Brain Basics Webinar Series

Cross Sites 2025

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers

Transformational Leadership in Advancing Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Policy.

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old Virtual Training of Trainers

Faculty Institute: DC:0–5™

Faculty Institute: Critical Competencies

Pre-Conference Forum: Leadership for Wellness

Pre-Conference Forum: In This Together

LEARN Conference 2025

Read More

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Buzzwords Explained: Perinatal Mental Health

CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”: Developmental Milestone Resources to Improve Early Identification of Children With Developmental Delays, Disorders, and Disabilities

Revised Developmental Milestones for Babies and Toddlers: Your Questions Answered