Head Start NPRM: Resources and Ways to Participate Before October 6
The October 6 public comment deadline for proposed changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards is approaching, and early childhood education organizations across the country are continuing to release information and resources to help professionals, families, advocates, and communities understand the proposal and participate in the federal rulemaking process.
The proposal is not a final rule. Current Head Start Program Performance Standards remain in effect, and the public comment period remains open through October 6, 2026.
DCAEYC has gathered several of the latest resources from NAEYC, Start Early, and national partners in one place so our DC early childhood education community can easily review the information and determine how they want to participate.
Understand the Head Start NPRM
NAEYC's Head Start NPRM Resource Center provides an overview of the proposal, what it could change, who could be affected, and how the federal public comment process works.
The page also brings together additional materials, including public comment guidance, webinar resources, congressional engagement opportunities, and resources from national partners.
Read the Latest ECE Workforce Findings
NAEYC has released Coherence, Not Cuts: Educator Perspectives on How to Improve ECE Regulation, a national survey examining how early childhood professionals view regulations and the systems responsible for implementing them. The survey includes responses from 3,891 early childhood professionals across all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.
Among the findings, 93% of respondents said staff-to-child ratios are critical to keeping children safe and supported. The research also examines administrative burden and the challenges created when professionals and programs must navigate multiple regulatory systems.
Share the Workforce Findings
NAEYC has also developed a social media toolkit to help affiliates, organizations, professionals, and advocates share findings from the new workforce survey.
The toolkit includes downloadable graphics and suggested social media content that can be shared across networks.
Learn More About Children With Disabilities
Start Early, our partner, has released Protecting Head Start's Commitment to Children With Disabilities, which looks specifically at provisions affecting children with disabilities and their families.
The resource examines current Head Start requirements related to developmental screenings, inclusive participation, individualized support, family partnership, and coordination with agencies responsible for IDEA services.
It also explains how the proposed rule could change many of these Head Start-specific requirements.
Prepare a Public Comment
Public comments are an opportunity for individuals and organizations to provide information and perspectives on a proposed federal rule before the rulemaking process moves forward.
NAEYC has developed a public comment guide for early childhood education professionals that can help participants understand what to include and how to structure a comment.
Templates can be useful starting points, but professionals and families can also use their own experiences to explain how particular standards operate in classrooms, programs, and communities.
Share Your Head Start Story
Start Early is also collecting personal and professional experiences with Head Start.
Families, early childhood education professionals, program leaders, and community members can share how Head Start has affected a child, family, program, or community.
Explore Additional Resources and Opportunities
Additional resources and opportunities continue to be collected through NAEYC's Head Start NPRM Resource Center.
This includes information about the federal rulemaking process, partner resources, available sign-on opportunities, and other ways people can learn more and participate.
Public Comments Are Due October 6
The Head Start NPRM remains a proposal, and the federal public comment period remains open. Public comments are due October 6, 2026.
Early childhood education professionals, families, program leaders, advocates, and community members can review the available information and decide whether and how they want to participate based on their own experiences and perspectives.
DCAEYC will continue sharing resources and information to help Washington, DC's early childhood education community stay informed about developments affecting the field.
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