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Stimulus Providing Big Funding Boost for Early Childhood

Programs ramping up, with eye on expansion

Advocates for early-childhood education are taking President Obama at his word that the billions of dollars for programs like Head Start included in the recent economic-stimulus package are merely a “down payment” on future expansion.

So, while other education officials are weighing the risks of starting new programs with federal money that may dry up in two years, early-childhood programs are ramping up for expansion after years of being underfunded, their supporters say.

“We have real hope. We don’t think that we will be cut off in two years,” said Adele Robinson, the associate executive director for policy and public affairs for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, based in Washington. “We are very hopeful that we have a good partner...