Trump Administration’s Proposed Budget Puts the Early Learning and Care System at Risk
The substantial cuts to discretionary funding will significantly impact children and families.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Last week, the Trump administration released its proposed “skinny” budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, outlining the administration’s federal spending priorities. While a few early childhood education programs, including Head Start, remain funded for now, the proposal includes billions of dollars in cuts to health services, education, and other critical supports that thousands of families across the United States depend on to meet their basic needs. Although Congress will ultimately determine which provisions are enacted, the proposal clearly indicates the administration’s fiscal priorities for the coming year.
Overall, the proposal calls for a 22.6% reduction in non-defense discretionary funding, even as it significantly increases investments in other areas. The proposed 15% cut to the Department of Education and the 26% cut to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are a disservice to children and families, threatening their long-term educational outcomes, health equity, and economic stability. These cuts come on top of other proposed reductions at HHS—like funding for home energy assistance, community services, mental health, and public health programs—that directly impact the well-being of children and families.
“The Trump administration’s proposed budget is very concerning,” said Patricia Lozano, Executive Director of Early Edge California. “Its alignment with efforts to dismantle the Department of Education signals deep and lasting negative consequences for children, families, and educators across the country. Cutting funding to education programs, including supports for bilingual children, not only harms families today but also jeopardizes the long-term success of our children and the future of the U.S.”
The administration’s budget proposal eliminates key programs that provide critical supports for children, families, and educators within the Early Learning and Care system, including:
The Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA): Eliminating OELA would have serious and lasting consequences for the 5.3 million English Learners (ELs) in the U.S. public school system. Despite the administration’s claim that the Title III program “deemphasizes English primacy,” extensive research consistently shows that bilingual education programs not only support ELs in achieving language proficiency but also contribute to their long-term academic success. Defunding English language instruction would leave states and schools to bear the burden of providing these services without the support of Title III resources.
The Migrant Education and Special Programs for Migrant Children: Wiping out the Migrant Education Program, $428 Million in funding, under Title I would impact migrant students nationwide who depend on these crucial services. In California alone, nearly 73,000 students benefit from this program, which provides vital academic and wraparound support to help them succeed–many of whom face unique educational and economic challenges. California is the leading agricultural state in the U.S. and central to the nation’s food system. Migrant workers are the backbone of California and the United States, yet they have historically been marginalized and left behind. Every child in California deserves the opportunity to learn and have what they need to be academically successful, regardless of their families’ occupations. Cutting this funding would be a step backward for a population that needs support the most.
The Teacher Quality Partnerships (TQP) Program: The TQP program, authorized under Title II of the Higher Education Act, supports innovative, evidence-based strategies to recruit, prepare, and retain high-quality teachers. Eliminating this program, $70 million in funding, would undermine efforts to build a stable, diverse, and well-prepared teacher workforce at a time when schools across the country and California are struggling with teacher shortages. Between 2023 and 2024, in California, seven Institutions of Higher Education, one county, and one school district were awarded these grants. Cutting this critical support system will set back progress in ensuring every student has access to a qualified, well-supported teacher, especially in the communities that need it most.
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Program:
The proposal to eliminate the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program, $75 million in funding, because it is “duplicative” of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) misrepresents both its function and impact. CCAMPIS is the only federal program specifically designed to fund child care for low-income college students, primarily parenting students who are overwhelmingly women, women of color, and single mothers. Eliminating CCAMPIS would mean removing access to affordable, quality campus child care for parents with young children. It will also hinder two-generational success by limiting the educational and economic opportunities for both parents and children during a crucial stage of child development.
The Preschool Development Grant (PDG):
Eliminating the Preschool Development Grant (PDG), $315 million in funding, on the assertion that it is “unproductive” because it does not directly fund preschool slots overlooks the fundamental purpose of the grant: to support states in building strong, equitable early learning systems. California has used every phase of its PDG funding strategically and effectively to strengthen and expand its early learning system. PDG funding has been essential in improving data infrastructure, promoting parent leadership, and building the state’s capacity to deliver universal preschool and other high-quality programs. Far from expanding unnecessary federal oversight, PDG funding has empowered California to design solutions grounded in family voice, equity, and the unique needs of diverse regions.
In these times of challenge and uncertainty, there is a timely opportunity to advocate for issues that impact children and families. TAKE ACTION NOW to protect essential programs that give young children the support they need to thrive.
- Call your Members of Congress to emphasize the importance of protecting and funding programs vital for the early learning and care system–critical to laying the foundation for children’s future success.
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Early Edge California is a nonprofit organization that advocates for accessible, high-quality early learning and care for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Through targeted advocacy and policy development, we champion affirming, multilingual environments for children and promote the professional growth of teachers and trusted caregivers, establishing a foundation for community resilience and economic mobility.