How the First Year of the Trump Administration Undermined Child Care and Early Education
By Shira Small, Rachel Wilensky, and Stephanie Schmit
Updated January 23, 2026
Since taking office on January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration has repeatedly undermined families’ access to child care and early education—disproportionately harming families with low incomes and families of color—by forcing Head Start closures; sowing fear and uncertainty among children and families, particularly immigrants; and weakening the federal agencies that support early childhood programs. CLASP’s new fact sheet documents these actions, outlines efforts to defend critical programs, and makes clear the urgent need to protect providers, children, and families from further harm.