The Trump administration announced a major overhaul of the Head Start program, proposing to slash federal regulations that have long governed the federal initiative serving low-income children.

The Department of Health and Human Services released a proposed rule that would replace more than 100 pages of detailed performance standards with a much shorter set of guidelines. Officials said the changes aim to reduce bureaucratic burdens and allow states and local providers greater flexibility in operating the program.

Head Start, established in 1965, provides preschool education, health services, and nutrition support to hundreds of thousands of children from disadvantaged families each year. The current regulations cover areas including class sizes, staff-to-child ratios, curriculum requirements for literacy and math, medical screenings, and even daily tooth brushing.

Under the new proposal, many of these specifics would shift to state and local control. The administration argued that the streamlined approach would enable programs to better respond to community needs without excessive federal mandates.

Supporters of the changes have pointed to longstanding complaints from providers about rigid rules that limit innovation and increase administrative costs. The proposal also includes tighter limits on administrative overhead spending.

The rule is open for public comment, with finalization possible later this year. The administration has emphasized that core funding and eligibility for the program remain intact while focusing on deregulation.