References: 2026 State Fact Sheets
A NOTE: These fact sheets reflect the most recent funding data available, including federal funding, federally required state matching funds, and state pre-K spending. It does not capture the full range of state investments in early learning and care.
- This figure includes beneficiaries of CCDF, Head Start Preschool, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, AIAN Head Start, MIECHV, state-funded pre-K, and IDEA Parts B Sec. 619 and C. In some cases, children and families are served by more than one program.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024: ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B09001.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024: ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B09001.
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2024: ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B23008.
- Child Care Trust, “Child Care Gaps Assessment” (2026).
- Child Care Aware of America, “Child Care in America: 2025 Price & Supply” (2026).
- NOTE: CO, DC, NM, and SC use data from 2024
- NOTE: CO, DC, NM, and SC use data from 2024
- Child Care Aware of America, “Child Care in America: 2025 Price & Supply” (2026).
- NOTE: CO, DC, LA, NM, and SC use data from 2024
- NOTE: CO, DC, LA, NM, and SC use data from 2024
- ReadyNation, “The Child Care Crisis Costs the U.S. Economy $172 Billion Each Year’” (2026)
- NOTE: For IL, ME, and PA a full, state-specific study has not been completed yet. Data for these states is from the 2023 ReadyNation report, which accounts for lost earnings, productivity, and revenue from infant/toddler child care challenges.
- NOTE: For IL, ME, and PA a full, state-specific study has not been completed yet. Data for these states is from the 2023 ReadyNation report, which accounts for lost earnings, productivity, and revenue from infant/toddler child care challenges.
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2026
- NOTE: Children from birth to age five in families with incomes at or below the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start. Programs may also serve a limited number of children from higher-income families—up to 10% above the poverty guidelines and an additional 35% below 130% of the federal poverty level—if specific program requirements are met.
- NOTE: Children from birth to age five in families with incomes at or below the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start. Programs may also serve a limited number of children from higher-income families—up to 10% above the poverty guidelines and an additional 35% below 130% of the federal poverty level—if specific program requirements are met.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “CCDF Family Income Eligibility Levels By State” (January 2025)
- Note: Federal eligibility guidelines allow states to serve families with incomes up to 85% of SMI, but many states set it lower. States serving families over 85% SMI are using other funding sources to do so.
- Note: Federal eligibility guidelines allow states to serve families with incomes up to 85% of SMI, but many states set it lower. States serving families over 85% SMI are using other funding sources to do so.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “Approved CCDF Plans (FY 2025-2027)” and U.S. Census Bureau, “American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample 2024“
- NOTE: This number/percentage is based on federal eligibility guidelines.
- NOTE: This number/percentage is based on federal eligibility guidelines.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “FY 2023 Preliminary Data Table 1 – Average Monthly Adjusted Number of Families and Children Served”, “FY 2023 Preliminary Data Table 9 – Average Monthly Percentages of Children in Care by Age Group”,
- NOTE: This number/percentage is based on federal eligibility guidelines.
- NOTE: This number/percentage is based on federal eligibility guidelines.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “Approved CCDF Plans (FY 2025-2027)”; U.S. Census Bureau, “American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Public Use Microdata Sample 2024”; ACF, “FY 2023 Preliminary Data Table 1 – Average Monthly Adjusted Number of Families and Children Served”; ACF, “FY 2023 Preliminary Data Table 9 – Average Monthly Percentages of Children in Care by Age Group”
- NOTE: This number/percentage is based on federal eligibility guidelines.
- NOTE: This number/percentage is based on federal eligibility guidelines.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 Table B17001 – Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Sex by Age
- Note on Methodology: Head start eligibility is estimated using the best available data. The Census 2024 ACS 5-year estimate is the most recent and accurate population estimate for children under 6 in poverty. Table B17001 disaggregates the data by age 0 to age 5, age 5, and age 6+. FFYF added the number of children in poverty ages 0 through age 5, and then divided by 6, evenly pro-rating this population of children into single-year age categories. Head Start eligibility is calculated as children ages 3 through 5 living in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.
- Note on Methodology: Head start eligibility is estimated using the best available data. The Census 2024 ACS 5-year estimate is the most recent and accurate population estimate for children under 6 in poverty. Table B17001 disaggregates the data by age 0 to age 5, age 5, and age 6+. FFYF added the number of children in poverty ages 0 through age 5, and then divided by 6, evenly pro-rating this population of children into single-year age categories. Head Start eligibility is calculated as children ages 3 through 5 living in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.
- Office of Head Start, Performance Indicator Report, Program Year 2025.
- Note: This number includes children served in American Indian and Alaska Native programs and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.
- Office of Head Start, Performance Indicator Report, Program Year 2025; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 Table B17001 – Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Sex by Age.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 Table B17001 –Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Sex by Age
- Note on Methodology: Head start eligibility is estimated using the best available data. The Census 2024 ACS 5-year estimate is the most recent and accurate population estimate for children under 6 in poverty. Table B17001 disaggregates the data by age 0 to age 5, age 5, and age 6+. FFYF added the number of children in poverty ages 0 through age 5, and then divided by 6, evenly pro-rating this population of children into single-year age categories. Head Start eligibility is calculated as children ages 0 through 2 living in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.
- Note on Methodology: Head start eligibility is estimated using the best available data. The Census 2024 ACS 5-year estimate is the most recent and accurate population estimate for children under 6 in poverty. Table B17001 disaggregates the data by age 0 to age 5, age 5, and age 6+. FFYF added the number of children in poverty ages 0 through age 5, and then divided by 6, evenly pro-rating this population of children into single-year age categories. Head Start eligibility is calculated as children ages 0 through 2 living in families with incomes below the federal poverty level.
- Office of Head Start, Performance Indicator Report, Program Year 2025.
- Note: This number includes children served in American Indian and Alaska Native programs and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.
- Note: This number includes children served in American Indian and Alaska Native programs and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.
- Office of Head Start, Performance Indicator Report, Program Year 2025; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 Table B17001 – Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Sex by Age.
- Allison H. Friedman-Krauss, Ph.D.; W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D.; Katherine S. Hodges, M.A.; Karin A. Garver, M.A.; Jennifer K. Duer, Ph.D;, M.Ed G.G. Weisenfeld,Ed.D.; Jessica Siegel, Ph.D., “The State of Preschool 2025,” National Institute for Early Education Research NIEER (2026).
- NOTE: Includes IN and VA programs even though they do not meet NIEER’s definition of a state-funded preschool program because they have a parent work or education requirement for eligibility.
- NOTE: Includes IN and VA programs even though they do not meet NIEER’s definition of a state-funded preschool program because they have a parent work or education requirement for eligibility.
- Allison H. Friedman-Krauss, Ph.D.; W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D.; Katherine S. Hodges, M.A.; Karin A. Garver, M.A.; Jennifer K. Duer, Ph.D;, M.Ed G.G. Weisenfeld,Ed.D.; Jessica Siegel, Ph.D., “The State of Preschool 2025,” National Institute for Early Education Research NIEER (2026).
- U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Section 618 Data Products: Static Tables Part C Child Count and Settings Table 4 (2023-2024)
- U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Section 618 Data Products: Static Tables Part B Child Count & Educational Environments Table 2 (2023-2024)
- NOTE: NM’s data is from 2022-2023
- NOTE: NM’s data is from 2022-2023
- Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program Dashboard (2025)
- Internal Revenue Service, SOI tax stats – Historic Table 2, Tax year 2022: Historic Table 2
- Allison H. Friedman-Krauss, Ph.D.; W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D.; Katherine S. Hodges, M.A.; Karin A. Garver, M.A.; Jennifer K. Duer, Ph.D;, M.Ed G.G. Weisenfeld,Ed.D.; Jessica Siegel, Ph.D., “The State of Preschool 2025,” National Institute for Early Education Research NIEER (2026).
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “GY 2025 CCDF Allocations (Based on Appropriations)“
- First Five Years Fund, “Mapping PDG B-5 Participation Over Time” (2026)
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “GY 2025 CCDF Allocations (Based on Appropriations)“
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Head Start.gov, Head Start Program Facts: Fiscal Year 2024
- NOTE: The U.S. fact sheet includes Migrant and Seasonal Head Start funding, but the state-level fact sheets do not.
- NOTE: The U.S. fact sheet includes Migrant and Seasonal Head Start funding, but the state-level fact sheets do not.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Head Start.gov, Head Start Program Facts: Fiscal Year 2024
- NOTE: This does not include Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.
- NOTE: This does not include Migrant and Seasonal Head Start.
- First Five Years Fund, “Mapping PDG B-5 Participation Over Time” (2026)
- Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), FY25 Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program Awards
- U.S. Department of Education, State Tables by Program, Fiscal Year 2025-2027 President’s Budget (2026 Estimates)
- U.S. Department of Education, State Tables by Program, Fiscal Year 2025-2027 President’s Budget (2026 Estimates)
- Administration on Children and Families (ACF), TANF Financial Data – FY 2024
- Administration on Children and Families (ACF), TANF Financial Data – FY 2024
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “CCDF Family Income Eligibility Levels By State” (January 2025)
- NOTE: States setting eligibility over 85% SMI are using state funding or other funding sources outside of federal dollars to serve families earning over 85% SMI.
- NOTE: States setting eligibility over 85% SMI are using state funding or other funding sources outside of federal dollars to serve families earning over 85% SMI.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “CCDF Family Income Eligibility Levels By State” (January 2025)
- Child Care Aware of America, “Child Care in America: 2025 Price & Supply” (2026)
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), “CCDF Family Co-Payments by State,” (January 2025)
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Care, FY 2023 Preliminary Data Table 7 – Number of Child Care Providers Receiving CCDF Funds
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System (May 2025)
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Child Care, FY 2025-2027 State/Territory CCDF Plans
- First Five Years Fund, Mapping Head Start Across States and Districts (2025)
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2026
- NOTE: Children from birth to age five in families with incomes at or below the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start. Programs may also serve a limited number of children from higher-income families—up to 10% above the poverty guidelines and an additional 35% below 130% of the federal poverty level—if specific program requirements are met.
- NOTE: Children from birth to age five in families with incomes at or below the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for Head Start. Programs may also serve a limited number of children from higher-income families—up to 10% above the poverty guidelines and an additional 35% below 130% of the federal poverty level—if specific program requirements are met.
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HeadStart.gov, Head Start Service Location Datasets (2026)
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HeadStart.gov, Head Start Service Location Datasets (2026)
- Office of Head Start, Performance Indicator Report, Program Year 2025
- Office of Head Start, Performance Indicator Report, Program Year 2025
- First Five Years Fund, Mapping PDG B-5 Participation Over Time (2025)
- The PDG B-5 accomplishments draw from various sources, including Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five Report to Congress: PDG B-5 Grant Activities For 2023 (2025), Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five Report to Congress: Highlighting a Sampling of PDG B-5 Grant Activities Between 2019–2021 (2024), ACF’s PDG B-5 State and Territory Map, Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) State Profiles (2021), and state webpages.
- Internal Revenue Service, SOI tax stats – Historic Table 2, Tax year 2022: Historic Table 2
- First Five Years Fund, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC): Overview, (2025)
