Head Start is a program that the federal sequester cuts could affect.
Head Start is an early education program for qualifying three and four-year-olds; designed to give kids a head start on their kindergarten education.
The Beaumont Independent School District's program is held at Bingman Head Start, where over 500 children learn reading, science and history.
Parent, Kimberly English, says getting a head start at a young age is beneficial.
"The earliest they get an education, the better they are in life," says English.
Her child spent two years getting an early childhood education at Bingman Head Start. She says her child is now in kindergarten and sits at the head of his class.
"His report cards now, all of them say 'Advanced' because he had that extra help," says English.
It's extra help at a young age that could soon come to an end for millions of children if Congress doesn't reach a deal by next Friday's extended Fiscal Cliff deadline.
"The three-year-old program and four-year-old program that we have here, we are the only ones with the three-year-olds. So, if our program was cut with a funding cut, we would have to lower our enrollment," says Lisa Bolton, principal at Bingman Head Start.
Services will be cut if a deal isn't reached. That means that the current enrollment of 510 students will dwindle and the spending on classroom materials will be carved.
"Four-year-olds and three-year-olds, as anyone knows, can learn alphabets, letters and other skills. So, the earlier you get them, the better course they're going to be on instructionally," says Bolton.
"They have math, science, even reading. He had a whole bunch of learning experience before he even got to kindergarten," says English.
English's son had the opportunity to start young. But, for millions of children waiting to get an early education, their future is now in limbo.
"By being a parent, you want your child to have the best in life and you cut that out? They want us to be successful. Keep Head Start and early education," says English.
Head Start is approved for funding every year and that funding has never been cut for Bingman Head Start.
Bolton says enrollment is at full capacity and that Fall classes always fill up before the previous school year ends.
Bolton says parents can still apply for their child's enrollment now through the beginning of summer on the Beaumont ISD website or by visiting the school.
