Save the Children Urges Administration to Preserve the Core Promise of Head Start While Pursuing Practical Improvements

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (August 7, 2026) — Save the Children and its political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), today expressed concern that the Administration’s proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards could weaken the comprehensive federal framework that has helped millions of children enter school healthy, safe and ready to learn for more than six decades.

As one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of Head Start and Early Head Start services in rural America, Save the Children supports thoughtful efforts to modernize the program, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, and give local providers greater flexibility to meet the needs of children and families. But flexibility should strengthen Head Start, not diminish the consistent standards and comprehensive services that have made it one of America’s most successful investments in young children.

Since 2011, Save the Children has been leading Head Start and Early Head Start programs in rural communities across Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee. These programs provide comprehensive services for children and their families, including quality early learning, nutritious meals and snacks, developmental and health screenings, medical referrals, family engagement, and supports for parents to pursue their education, training and employment.

"For more than 60 years, Head Start has opened doors of opportunity for millions of children," said Mark Shriver, Special Advisor to the President & CEO of Save the Children U.S. and Executive Director of SCAN. "Every child deserves the chance to begin school healthy, supported and ready to learn, regardless of their family’s income or ZIP code. We welcome efforts to make Head Start work better for children and providers, but we should not weaken the foundation that has made the program so successful."

Save the Children is particularly concerned that significantly reducing federal performance standards could create wide disparities in the quality and availability of services, depending on where children live. Families in rural America often have few alternatives for early childhood education, health care, developmental services and family support. In many communities, Head Start serves as essential infrastructure that connects children with opportunities and families with critical resources.

"As an organization that works alongside children and families every day, we know firsthand that Head Start’s strength comes from its comprehensive approach," said Arvelis Byrd, Executive Director of Head Start at Save the Children. "Children benefit from caring teachers, healthy meals, developmental screenings, safe learning environments and strong family partnerships working together. Those are not separate services, they are the building blocks that help children thrive."

Save the Children believes there are meaningful opportunities to improve Head Start by simplifying administrative requirements, strengthening the early childhood workforce, streamlining grant administration, and providing providers with greater operational flexibility. The organization intends to submit detailed comments during the public comment period, outlining practical recommendations drawn from its experience operating Head Start and Early Head Start programs in rural communities.

"The goal should be a stronger, more effective Head Start that reaches more children while preserving the high-quality services families count on,” Byrd said. “We look forward to working with the Administration, Congress and partners across the country to ensure Head Start continues delivering on its promise for this generation of children and the next."

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