Every year, the Office of Head Start updates the Program Information Report (PIR) to better reflect the needs of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. For the 2025-2026 program year, the PIR includes several important updates designed to strengthen accuracy, clarify definitions and modernize demographic reporting.

We know PIR season can feel overwhelming, especially when requirements shift. That’s why we’ve updated ChildPlus to fully align with the new 2025-2026 PIR so you can collect, track and report your data with confidence well before the August 31st deadline!

Let’s walk through what’s new and how ChildPlus helps you stay ready all year long.

What’s Changing in the 2025–2026 PIR

Several updates across the PIR will impact how programs collect and report data. Understanding these changes early helps ensure your program is prepared.

Updated Race and Ethnicity Reporting

The PIR now captures race and ethnicity as equal categories, aligned with federal guidance. Programs will see:

• Updated race and ethnicity categories
• Clarified definitions
• New questions that allow families and staff to identify more than one race and/or ethnicity

These updates appear in both the Program Information and Staff sections.

New Income Eligibility Categories

• Migrant and Seasonal Head Start: Families with income primarily from agricultural employment
• AIAN programs: Families living within the program’s approved service area

The 2025–2026 PIR introduces new options to better reflect family circumstances and program types:

Programs will also report when income was adjusted for excessive housing costs, a new field that improves clarity around eligibility determinations.

Curriculum, Screening and Health Updates

Additional changes include:

• Updated CDC blood lead reference values
• Revised oral health definitions
• Expanded dropdown lists for curricula, assessments and screening tools, covering both newly added instruments and updated naming conventions

These updates enhance accuracy across child health, development and services data.

What You Can Do Now to Prepare

Getting ready for the PIR doesn’t begin in July, it’s all year! Here are a few steps your program can take:

1. Review new demographic and eligibility definitions

Help your team understand the new race, ethnicity and income categories so data remains accurate from day one.

2. Update your internal workflows

If your program uses checklists, forms or intake packets, update them to reflect the new PIR changes before they reach families.

3. Train your staff early

Ensure staff understand where and how the new fields appear in your data systems — especially those managing eligibility, enrollment, health and curriculum.

4. Rely on a system that stays aligned with federal updates

Using software that adapts quickly to OHS requirements helps your team avoid retroactive fixes, which can be both stressful and time‑consuming.

This is where ChildPlus makes the biggest difference.

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How ChildPlus Helps You Stay Ready for PIR Season

ChildPlus is fully updated to support every 2025–2026 PIR change, giving your program the tools to stay compliant long before the submission deadline.

Multi‑Select Race and Ethnicity Fields

ChildPlus now offers updated, multi‑select demographic fields across relevant modules. This ensures accurate, consistent reporting for individuals who identify with more than one race or ethnicity — matching federal guidance and eliminating guesswork.

Updated Eligibility Workflows

New income status options for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start and AIAN programs are built directly into the system. A new checkbox for reporting “income adjusted for excessive housing costs” supports clearer eligibility documentation.

Refreshed Screens, Reports and Exports

Every PIR‑related field, label, dropdown and export has been updated to align with federal changes. Programs can record data confidently, knowing it will map correctly at reporting time.

Updated Documentation and Support Resources

The PIR Setup and Calculation Guide and Help Center materials reflect all 2025–2026 changes. Administrators have clear guidance at each step of the reporting process.

Record Your PIR Data with Confidence All Year Long 

Completing the annual PIR is one of the most important responsibilities for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. With ChildPlus, you can record all required PIR data for your services, staff, children and families in one place throughout the year.

ChildPlus automatically maps health and education events to their related PIR questions, helping you manage data effortlessly and stay compliant without extra work. When it’s time to generate reports, you can rely on our built‑in PIR calculations to create submission‑ready files instantly. And if your program needs to make adjustments, you have the flexibility to override calculations when appropriate. 

This streamlined workflow helps you save hours on manual data entry and compilation, reduces the risk of errors and ensures your PIR tells a complete, accurate story of your program’s impact.