Family Child Care Advocates and Supporters,
Federal child care policy activity continues to move quickly in Congress and across federal agencies. Below is a snapshot of major developments impacting family child care (FCC) educators, children, and families, along with updates on legislation aligned with the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Policy Priorities.
June 2026 Federal Policy Update: Your Voice Matters
As summer begins, Congress continues to debate several child care proposals that could affect family child care programs, educators, and the families you serve. NAFCC remains actively engaged in federal advocacy to ensure that policymakers understand the critical role family child care plays in strengthening our nation’s child care system.
House Advances Harmful Child Care Legislation
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Stop Child Care Scams Act. NAFCC joined more than 200 national, state, and local organizations in expressing concerns about legislation that could create additional administrative burdens and barriers for educators and families without addressing the underlying challenges facing the child care system.
Ahead of the House vote, NAFCC worked alongside national partners to educate Members of Congress about the potential impact these proposals could have on child care access and stability. Thanks to strong advocacy efforts from educators, families, and advocates across the country, bipartisan support for the legislation was limited
NAFCC is closely monitoring any follow-up activity in the Senate and will keep you informed of action steps that need to be taken.
Federal Funding Discussions Continue
Congress continues working on Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations, the annual process that determines funding levels for federal programs. While negotiations are ongoing, NAFCC is advocating for increased investments in child care programs, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and other social support programs that help families access high-quality care. Federal funding decisions made over the coming months will have significant implications for states, family child care educators, and families. Continued investment is necessary to help address rising operating costs, workforce challenges, and the shortage of child care options in communities across the country.
Head Start Rulemaking Update
The Department of Health and Human Services released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to Head Start regulations that would roll back educator wage and benefit protections established in the 2024 Head Start rule. Eliminating wage and benefit protections risks worsening workforce shortages, increasing staff turnover, and reducing access to high-quality early learning opportunities for families. Public comments on the rule are due today, June 11, 2026. NAFCC is monitoring these developments and their impact on family child care educators participating in Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
What We’re Watching
NAFCC continues to monitor federal legislation and regulations affecting:
- Child care funding and appropriations
- Subsidy policies and payment practices
- Small business supports for family child care educators
- Head Start and Early Head Start partnerships
- Workforce and regulatory policies impacting family child care
NAFCC continues monitoring several legislative proposals aimed at addressing fraud in federally funded programs. These proposals would give federal agencies broader authority to delay or withhold federal funding based on suspected fraud concerns including H.R. 8463 and H.R. 6919. The language used in these proposals is broad enough to allow agencies to delay funding for programs that help families afford essentials such as child care, health care, and nutrition assistance. These proposals highlight the gap in understanding from policymaking tables to the daily realities of family child care educators. As Congress considers these proposals, NAFCC will continue advocating for policies that support the delivery of critical child care services through family child care.
As federal policymakers make decisions that affect your business and the families you serve, your voice remains one of the most powerful tools for change. Stay engaged, respond to action alerts, and help ensure family child care is represented in every policy conversation.
Meet the Policy Fellows at the NAFCC National Conference!
Join us at the NAFCC Annual Conference to meet the 2025–2026 NAFCC Policy Fellows. Fellows will be sharing their capstone projects focused on strengthening family child care policy. Stop by the NAFCC Policy Department table in the Exhibit Hall to learn about the issues they are working on, ask questions, and connect with fellow advocates who are helping shape the future of family child care policy.
Want to be in the Room Where it Happens?
Join us in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, July 15, from 1 to 5 PM for the National Association for Family Child Care Pre-Conference Advocacy Institute, The Future of Family Child Care: Policy Shaped by You.
In this hands-on session, educators will unpack the policies shaping the field, learn strategies to protect mixed-delivery systems, and build the confidence to advocate for family child care in the rooms where decisions are made.
When educators come together, change happens. Be in the room.
Space is limited to the first 50 registrants!
Register now for this pre-conference session
YOU MUST BE REGISTERED FOR THE FULL CONFERENCE TO ATTEND THIS PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION.
