JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There has been significant discussion recently regarding the future of Head Start, the early education program that supports hundreds of thousands of children from low-income families.
While the Trump administration claims it will not cut funding, a leaked document has raised concerns among educators and families.
RELATED: Head Start funding lags by nearly $1 billion this year, causing some preschool closures
“I have every degree there is in the early childhood education field, and so I believe that Head Start laid that foundation for me to have a lifelong love of learning,” explained Stephanie Searles, the founder of Study to Show Learning Academy.
Searles is one of many who credit Head Start for their success, but concern spread fast Friday after a leaked document suggested the administration might cut child welfare programs—including Head Start.
That same day, however, a federal budget summary was released with no mention of cuts to the program.
Families and educators received some relief when the Trump administration announced it would not proceed with a plan to cut funding for Head Start, which assists more than half a million children from low-income families.
Still, some educators say the uncertainty alone has raised concerns, even if no cuts are made in the immediate future.
“We’ve seen this before. In 2013, we’ve seen it. So we know history can repeat itself,” Searles said. “We’re all standing with Head Start, and we’re praying that it doesn’t happen, and then we’re going to see how we can stand together to make sure that we don’t have this scare happen again.”
In Searles’ zip code, childcare providers do not receive Head Start funding. Instead, they rely on support from Florida’s Early Learning Coalition.
For infants, this funding amounts to about $3.70 per hour, with providers expected to care for each child for up to 10 hours a day.
When factoring in teacher pay, supplies, and a quality curriculum, many providers find it challenging to make ends meet.
“The programs are so needed because we see that paychecks are not keeping up with inflation,” Searles said. “Therefore, we’re going to have to learn how to teach our children different trades and skills that will help them accumulate wealth before they reach the point where they need the money.”
Advocates like Searles say they’ll remain vigilant as programs like Head Start not only support children but also strengthen entire communities.
The full interview with Searles can be watched below.
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