High-quality early care and education (ECE) enhances young children’s learning and development, better preparing them for success in school and life. The strongest outcomes for young children depend on ECE professionals who are well prepared, supported, and compensated. Research featured in this issue of The Learning Curve examines the nuances among innovative state strategies aimed at improving the status and well-being of these vital early educators.

Early Childhood Workforce Index 2020
The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment’s Early Childhood Workforce Index 2020 (Index) presents a state-by-state look at policies and conditions affecting ECE professionals. This third edition continues to track state policies related to the well-being and status of the ECE workforce, including qualifications, work environments, and compensation. The Index draws attention to inequitable policies that require systemic change, such as the inadequate compensation of ECE professionals. It includes overviews of state responses to the financial and health insecurities of the workforce that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidance is also provided to policymakers and advocates through recommendations aimed at dismantling barriers and ensuring equitable ECE systems for U.S. states and territories.

Highlights include: 

• A comparison of child care worker wages and a living wage in every state; 
• A comparison of pay and poverty rates between early educators with bachelor’s degrees and K-8 teachers; 
• Spotlights on state responses to the pandemic; 
• Detailed tables on state workforce policies and initiatives; and 
• Data on the U.S. territories.

Foundation for Child Development Grants in Action

Child Trends explored many different policies and practices in state initiatives that better support early educators. The latest studies and a new cost-estimate tool called the Early Childhood Workforce Qualifications Calculator are featured below.

Examining Regional Differences in the Nebraska Early Care and Education Workforce examines variations in well-being, economic pressures, and education levels across Nebraska. The research finds that the needs and challenges of center-based early educators vary by region and reflect many of the shared experiences of ECE professionals nationwide, such as inadequate compensation, barriers to career pathways to attain credentials and higher education degrees, and disparities across ECE settings and professional roles.

Workforce Perceptions and Experiences with the Alabama Early Care and Education Salary Parity Policy shares findings of the successes and challenges of Alabama’s salary parity policy. This brief also provides insights into the policy’s impact on the experiences of pre-K teachers from community-based ECE programs in Alabama's First Class Pre-K program.

Examining Regional Differences in the Arkansas Early Care and Education Workforce researched whether region and urbanicity were associated with variations in well-being, economic pressures, and education levels. Results demonstrate that three workforce outcomes varied substantially across regions and as a function of urbanicity: depressive symptoms, decision-making abilities in the workplace, and the probability of having an ECE credential.

The Early Childhood Workforce Qualifications Calculator generates state-specific cost estimates for the funding necessary to increase educational qualifications for the workforce. State leaders can use the data-driven tool to inform policy and practice improvements to support the ECE workforce.