At the Growing Up Green Daycare in the Southwest Side of Chicago, Patricia Anaya wears many hats.
As the teacher, nurse, principal, chef, gardener, and janitor of her home-based early childhood education center, she serves eight children, embodying the mission of the Head Start program designed to support children from low-income families.
However, President Donald Trump’s proposed budget has raised concerns about the future of this crucial program.
Head Start, now in its 60th year, has proven to be a lifeline for families, providing early childhood education to about 750,000 children nationwide, including 28,000 in Illinois.
Anaya, who joined the program in 2021, was hopeful it would allow her to cut back on her previous 80-hour work weeks, giving her a better work-life balance while enhancing the quality of care she provides.
“I feel less stress — a lot less stress — and I enjoy what I do a lot more because I think I was heading towards burnout,” Anaya shares.
The ongoing uncertainty regarding funding for Head Start has now added a layer of worry to her already busy schedule.
The Trump administration’s budget proposal initially aimed to eliminate Head Start entirely, raising alarms among educators and parents alike.
While the latest version of the budget, released at the end of May, calls for maintaining the same funding levels as previous years, the ongoing shift in political priorities makes the program’s future precarious.
As a home-based provider, Anaya faces challenges not only for her daycare but also for the families she serves.
“I thought we were fighting for everybody to have a head start,” laments Sonja Crum Knight from the Carole Robertson Center for Learning.
“Now we’re fighting just to make sure that those who have access maintain it, you know? It’s just unfortunate.”
Many of Anaya’s young charges are enrolled in either the Head Start program for 3-5-year-olds or Early Head Start for infants and toddlers.
Anaya’s journey into the world of childcare began 18 years ago when she worked as a child care assistant while raising her two daughters.
Opening her own daycare in her brick bungalow allowed her to combine work with parenting, cherishing every moment with her children.
Choosing a space that was designed for children, complete with a fenced backyard, Anaya created an environment that fosters learning from an early age.
On a recent Friday, all four children at her daycare were under 3 years old, yet they displayed remarkable potential to learn.
Activities sprinkled throughout the day nurtured their developmental milestones: Alani, at 9 months, is encouraged to crawl, while Leilani and Levi, aged 2, practice talking.
Lia, approaching her third birthday, proudly names her favorite colors as she decorates a cardboard box with markers.
Together with her two assistants — her daughter Penelope and her mother Maria — Anaya creates a vibrant and engaging atmosphere that is much more than simple childcare.
From picture books that draw children’s attention to a wide array of toys, every detail of Anaya’s classroom is tailored to stimulate curiosity and encourage exploration.
Singing “Good Morning” songs using a purple puppet not only brings joy but reinforces both Spanish and English for her dual-language students.
Storytime becomes an opportunity for vocabulary expansion, while playful games incorporate simple math and motor skills.
As lunch approaches, Anaya prepares a nutritious meal, showcasing her commitment to healthy eating habits.
“Everything we do is intended to help little students hit developmental milestones — and get them extra support if they can’t,” Anaya explains.
The partnership Anaya has formed with the Carole Robertson Center enhances the experience for both the educators and children by offering comprehensive wraparound services.
These include health screenings, nutritional advice, and ongoing support for families, thus creating a holistic atmosphere that extends beyond daycare to also include education and well-being.
Julissa Cruz, also from the Carole Robertson Center, shares, “What Head Start really aims to do is provide a safe and high-quality environment while partnering with families to recognize the importance of early childhood education.”
Anaya emphasizes the importance of this multi-faceted approach, noting, “It takes us from just being child care to high-quality early childhood care and education.”
Research supports such initiatives, suggesting that when early childhood education is effectively implemented, it can have lasting positive outcomes on children’s future learning.
The Department of Health and Human Services recently reported that Early Head Start students generally performed better than their peers, illustrating the program’s potential impact.
However, challenges still exist, particularly regarding the need for more comprehensive services.
Experts suggest that many child care options do not offer the rigorous educational foundation provided by programs like Head Start.
Anaya’s evolution from a caregiver to a Head Start provider illustrates how supportive networks improve the quality of education.
Bromer’s research highlights that affiliated networks enhance care quality compared to non-affiliated providers.
As Anaya navigates the complexities of running her daycare, she draws on the resources provided by the Carole Robertson Center.
This partnership not only benefits the children in her care but also helps build a sustainable business model for Anaya as a provider.
As funding debates continue in Washington, the importance of programs like Head Start remains unwavering.
Bromer warns that losing such a system would severely impact families and young children, reinforcing the necessity of early childhood education in promoting child development.
While there’s always room for improvement, the value of programs like Head Start in shaping futures cannot be overstated.
As Anaya pours her heart into Growing Up Green Daycare, she embodies both the challenges and triumphs that come with early childhood education.
The future may be uncertain, but the benefits of quality early education endure, as do the hopes of families and providers like Anaya.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/06/09/head-start-childcare-chicago-west-lawn-donald-trump-budget-cuts-impact-childcare-preschool
