Government Shutdown Strikes Head Start Programs, Leaving Families in Crisis

Mon Nov 03 2025 14:40:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The ongoing government shutdown has resulted in numerous Head Start centers across the nation closing their doors, greatly impacting low-income families reliant on these essential services for child care and nutrition.

As the government shutdown continues, it has led to the closure of many Head Start centers, crucial for the education and nutrition of some of America's most vulnerable children. Without federal funding due, parents are facing dire child care shortages and food insecurity. Affected centers are struggling to stay afloat, and the repercussions extend to families relying on the program's support.

The government shutdown is causing a wave of closures of Head Start centers, leaving working parents scrambling for child care and cutting off some of the nation’s neediest children from preschool.

Dozens of centers are missing out on federal grant payments scheduled for November 1. While some are closing indefinitely, others are barely staying open with emergency funding from local authorities and school districts. The closures mean Head Start students—who typically come from low-income families or are in foster care—are losing access to essential preschool education, including two daily meals and critical developmental therapies.

“Children love school, and the fact that they can’t go is breaking their hearts,” said Sarah Sloan, who oversees Head Start centers in Scioto County, Ohio. “It’s hampering our families’ ability to put food on the table and to know that their children are safe during the day.”

A growing number of programs—currently totaling over 140—are facing similar funding issues, which is preventing them from serving an estimated 65,000 preschoolers and expectant parents.

Among those affected are 24 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start centers spanning five states, offering crucial support to the children of migrant farmworkers. These centers typically operate long hours to accommodate the demanding schedules of working parents.

With the shutdown causing financial strain, some centers may only operate short-term. For instance, in Kansas City, the Emmanuel Family and Child Development Center can remain open temporarily, but they are rapidly depleting their financial resources.

Families tied to Head Start programs are also reliant on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food security. As the shutdown drags on, confusion and anxiety are rising among families worried about both food aid and child care: A day without child care means a day without work for many parents—and a day without pay, highlighted one educator.

While some centers are leveraging local support to stay open, the future remains uncertain. Support from local philanthropies and community engagements has allowed for temporary measures, but these solutions are expected to dwindle soon, leading to potentially more widespread closures and challenges for low-income families across the country.