NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The government shutdown could lead to thousands of preschoolers across the country without a place to learn.

Nearly 65,000 children in the Head Start program, an early education program, could be impacted.

“This is really about children and families, making sure that these children are receiving the special services that maybe they require,” Elaine Duke of TN Head Start Association explained.

Head Start provides free meals, health screenings and learning opportunities for children from low-income families nationwide. They rely heavily on funding from the government.

Duke is also the executive director of a Head Start program in Southeast Tennessee and said depending on how long the shutdown lasts, they could have to layoff staff or close.

“We really need Cong

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