In a corner of her classroom at Clayton Early Learning, Maralyn Batz-Paz gathers her 16 preschoolers onto a round gray reading rug, signaling the start of a structured routine filled with mindfulness, crafting, and foundational learning. Each day is a carefully orchestrated mix of activities that culminates in a class meeting where they sing a ‘wish you well’ song for absent classmates and recite affirmations, reinforcing positive self-identity among the young learners.
Batz-Paz, a lead teacher in the Head Start program, emphasizes the importance of these affirmations, reminding her students that they are ‘smart,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘kind,’ hoping to provide them with tools to navigate life’s challenges.
This approach is part of a broader commitment at Clayton Early Learning to nurture both academic and emotional growth in children, particularly those from low-income families. The school provides not only education but also meals prepared from scratch, dental check-ups, and access to grocery shopping for essential food and clothing. They even offer home visits to strengthen bonds between families and educators.
Head Start, a national initiative designed to support disadvantaged children in their early years, has come under threat as the Trump administration proposes cuts to its funding. With a draft budget indicating the intention to dismantle the program, educators and advocates are concerned about the potential impact on children and families across Colorado. Preliminary reports suggest that if these cuts go through, many of the vital services and resources provided through Head Start would be severely jeopardized.
William Browning, President and CEO of Clayton Early Learning, highlights the challenges faced by families already grappling with economic hardships. For many of these households, losing access to quality care means jeopardizing their ability to maintain employment or continue their education. “These families are already economically challenged and trying to find their way in the world,” Browning stated, reflecting on the broader implications of stripping away such crucial programs.
As the 60-year-old Head Start program faces possible elimination, its absence would deprive over 11,000 vulnerable children and families in Colorado of essential support during critical developmental years. Heather Frenz, executive director of the Colorado Head Start Association, notes that the potential loss of this funding would have significant repercussions, especially given that Colorado does not supplement Head Start with any state funding, relying entirely on federal resources.
Frenz explains that many facilities could face closure if federal funding is cut, as they would struggle to find alternative sources to support their operations. The absence of Head Start and Early Head Start could lead to fewer opportunities for children to acquire the skills necessary for success in school. Meanwhile, certain families may grapple with instability as they seek affordable child care alternatives while trying to work or study.
Adding urgency to the situation, recent complications in payment processing from the federal government have raised alarms among local providers. Browning shared that an unusual notification suggested that Clayton Early Learning would not receive its payment until March 2026. The nature of this delay could indicate a troubling trend, potentially forcing the organization to implement private-pay services to maintain operations, ultimately limiting access for the families who depend on Head Start the most.
“That kind of payment delay would force our organization to adjust its operations and provide more private-pay care, which would limit how many families in need of Head Start could keep their child at Clayton Early Learning,” Browning explained, underscoring the precarious balance sustaining early childhood education amidst funding uncertainties.
A survey conducted by Early Milestones Colorado further underscores the gravity of the situation, revealing that many licensed child care providers depend on federal funds to remain operational. Among those surveyed, a significant portion of providers indicated they would not survive more than six months without these critical resources. Jennifer Stedron, the executive director of Early Milestones Colorado, warns that losing Head Start would trigger widespread economic difficulties for communities, especially those already facing scarcity in available providers.
Browning and Frenz both emphasize the wide-ranging consequences of losing early childhood education programs like Head Start. They argue that such communities depend heavily on a robust system of child care to support working families, and pulling the funding could set off a chain reaction of negative impacts on local economies and families’ ability to thrive.
The repercussions extend beyond simply providing a place for kids to learn. Many educators and advocates stress that Head Start programs represent a crucial support network for families, connecting them to resources for education, health, and income stability.
As community needs grow increasingly complex, the role of programs such as Head Start becomes even more vital, and the administrators stress the necessity of ensuring that families have constant access to trusted caregivers who can help children make sense of the world around them.
For families like that of Iran Munoz Montoya, a single mother of two boys enrolled in Clayton Early Learning, the loss of Head Start would mean losing a key support system. Munoz Montoya credits the school with helping her children not only navigate the challenges of single-parent life but also preserve cultural language skills while learning English. “The comfort that I get knowing that my kids are going somewhere where they’re going to be safe, they’re going to learn, and they’re going to come back smarter and happier every day, gives me peace of mind to pursue my dreams,” she said, speaking to the importance of programs like Head Start in enabling parents to achieve their personal and professional aspirations.
In the throes of uncertainty over the future of funding, Browning has prepared for multiple scenarios, including the potential loss of federal Head Start financing, which he refers to as the “worst-case scenario.” He remains hopeful that Clayton Early Learning will continue its vital work but is aware of how much is at stake for both families and educators as they await clarity on funding issues. “It is really about economic security and national security for the country,” Browning asserted, emphasizing that investing in early childhood education yields better long-term outcomes when children enter the K-12 system ready to learn.
Despite the challenges ahead, Batz-Paz strives to reinforce a sense of security within her classroom, underscoring the long-term value of the messages she shares with her students. The sentiment echoed around Clayton Early Learning reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that children grow up with the resources, support, and belief in themselves to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
As the community collectively navigates the uncertain future of Head Start, the mantra of strength, intelligence, and kindness sung daily by the preschoolers will hopefully serve as a reminder of their resilience and the unwavering spirit of the educational advocates who champion their cause.
image source from：https://coloradosun.com/2025/04/18/colorado-head-start-funding-cut-clayton-early-learning/
