Start Early

09/03/2026

There’s still time to join us at the 2026 National Home Visiting Summit! 💜

Hear from Start Early President, Celena Sarillo, on why this year’s Summit is an important opportunity to come together, share ideas and strengthen the systems that support young children and families.

Join us September 29–30 for two days of connection, learning and conversations focused on advancing home visiting and early childhood systems in Baltimore, MD.

👉 Register today and join us at the Summit: https://bit.ly/4xgMta8

09/02/2026

Meet Jamia. She enrolled her child in Head Start looking for quality child care, but found much more: a community of support for her and her family. As a Head Start parent and alumna, she knows firsthand how critical Head Start’s comprehensive services are for families who may not otherwise have access to them.

Head Start does more than prepare children for success. It connects families to the support, resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

The future of Head Start is at risk, and families like Jamia’s are speaking up to protect the program. Learn more and submit a public comment here: https://bit.ly/4i2Z3FU

09/01/2026

🌱 **Head Start work goes beyond the classroom.**

Access to fresh, nutritious food is an important part of family well-being. At Educare Chicago, families are connected to resources that support their well-being both inside and outside the classroom.

The Urban Growers Collective(UGC) was recently featured in an episode of *Sacred Ground*, a PBS docuseries exploring how urban agriculture is helping address food access.

Educare dad and UGC Director of Farming Malcolm Evans shares how UGC brings fresh produce closer to Chicago families through the Fresh Moves mobile farmers market. Families can use SNAP, cash or credit — and each family receives $10 in vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. 🥕🍎

It’s a powerful reminder that supporting families means connecting them with resources that help them thrive — both inside and outside the classroom.

🎥 Watch the full episode: https://www.pbs.org/video/the-last-supper-seeds-of-change-ZjH0SB/

08/27/2026

Head Start could look very different under the proposed changes to its federal standards. Fewer hours. Bigger classrooms. Fewer supports for children, families and staff.

Swipe through to learn what’s being proposed — and take action by submitting a public comment at StartEarly.org/Togetherforheadstart

This is a proposed rule, not a final rule. Now is the time to make your voice heard.

08/19/2026

As a home visitor for Head Start, Ashley sees the incredible impact of early learning and care every day. From checking in on new parents, to connecting families with essential health screenings and resources, she knows that the earliest weeks of a child's life matter.

Proposed changes to Head Start would weaken the standards that ensure families receive timely care and support when they need it most.

Your voice can help protect Head Start. Learn more and submit a public comment today: https://bit.ly/4bAn9nk

08/18/2026

Head Start has helped children and families thrive for more than 60 years—but now, proposed federal changes could upend the quality standards that make the program so effective.

These standards help ensure children receive high-quality early learning, developmental screenings, family support, and inclusive services for children with disabilities. We can’t afford to lose them.

Now is the time to speak up.

Use our public comment template to tell federal leaders why Head Start matters and why these critical standards must be protected.

Every voice matters. Submit your comment today and share this post with your community to help ensure more people understand what’s at stake for Head Start: https://bit.ly/4bAn9nk

08/18/2026

The National Home Visiting Summit is almost here and registration is closing soon! ⏰

Join a nationwide community of leaders, practitioners, advocates and champions coming together to share ideas, spark innovation and strengthen the support families need to thrive.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the conversation.

Learn more and register: https://startearly.org/event/home-visiting-summit/

08/13/2026

Quality early learning changes lives — and new research shows exactly how.

In Chicago, Educare gave one mom something she says her kids had never had access to before: real relationships, real care, real results. Decades of research back her up — high-quality early learning closes opportunity gaps and shapes a child's whole future.

Right now, proposed federal rules could roll back the very things that make programs like Educare and Head Start work: qualified teachers, healthy staffing ratios and strong family support.

Read the research 🔗 https://bit.ly/45qVGBa

High-quality early childhood education shapes school readiness, long-term outcomes, and family stability. How Start Early and Educare are expanding learning access for children nationwide.

08/12/2026

Meet Franck. While his children spent the day learning and growing in a safe, supportive environment, he was able to go to work and continue pursuing his own educational goals, knowing his kids were in good hands.

Head Start does more than prepare children for success, it partners with families, empowering parents to build brighter futures and have a voice in their children's education.

The future of Head Start is at risk, and families are speaking up about the crucial support the program provides across the country. Learn more and submit a public comment here: StartEarly.org/Togetherforheadstart

08/10/2026

Behind every child care statistic are families doing everything they can to make working and parenting possible.

Head Start helps parents stay in the workforce, supports children’s early learning and strengthens communities. When that support is weakened, the need for child care doesn’t disappear – families are simply left with little to no options.

If you believe every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality, reliable child care, share this post.