Without an end to the federal government shutdown by Saturday, some 65,000 children and their families nationwide stand to lose Head Start early childcare and preschool services as soon as next week.

None are in the Chicago area, the Illinois Head Start Association says. A lone program in downstate Illinois could be impacted next month. Local families have a longer runway because budget years vary for recipients of Head Start grants.

But on Dec. 1, Head Start budgets could end for programs serving 6,300 children that are overseen by the city of Chicago and two other large social service organizations, the Carole Robertson Center and the Henry Booth House.

“I’m hoping that we can have some resolution prior to then,” said Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, executive director of the Illinois Head Sta

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