Explicit support for early childhood education was included in the House State and Foreign Operations FY 2018 Appropriations bill report.
Under Basic Education: “The Committee is concerned that USAID has not sufficiently integrated programs for pre-primary education into the basic education strategy. Not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, the USAID Administrator is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations on the criteria used to determine where pre-primary education programs are funded. The report should also include a list of countries and funding levels for all current pre-primary education programs. The Committee encourages the USAID Administrator to explore opportunities to promote early child development through ongoing activities and programs, including screening for early development delays and training for caregivers about behaviors that promote brain development….”