CSCCE is partnering with RAPID-EC to conduct a mixed-methods study of family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) child care providers in California. We are surveying parents first to learn more about their child care arrangements and to connect with their FFN provider. Later this fall, we will survey FFN caregivers to learn more about their experiences, perspectives, and well-being.

Are you a parent? Take our survey.

Major New Report on ECE Compensation

Our latest report provides the most comprehensive data on California early educator compensation in 15 years. Early educators perform challenging, complex work, yet despite this and years of experience and education, the study documents poverty-level wages and scant benefits. For some, wages actually declined between 2005 and 2020. 

BLS Update: Child Care Job Recovery Lags

With less than 3,000 child care jobs added in August, and previous July estimates revised downward, there has been effectively no change in the overall number of childcare jobs since last month, according to new CSCCE analysis. Child care employment is still 8.4% below what it was in February 2020.

Today’s release is based on the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report.

To say we are disappointed about the absence of early care and education funding in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is an understatement. In the absence of federal leadership, some states are stepping up. 

This summer, Massachusetts—a Bold on Compensation Learning Community state— passed a bill to expand funding for early childhood education and care. Among other things, the bill calls for an operational grant program modeled on the C3 ARPA Stabilization grants that allowed providers to direct relief funds to staff compensation. The Department of Early Education and Care are still working out the salary requirements within the operational grants, but we are hopeful this could provide a mechanism for sustained increases in early educator compensation.

Interested in learning more about how to increase wages, provide benefits, or offer direct payments for the early educator workforce? Explore our database of compensation strategies.

Early Educator Spotlight: Ro Lewis

Periodically, we profile an educator to shine a light on their lives inside and outside the classroom and to elevate their policy perspectives.

Ro Lewis is a preschool teacher, mentor, and outdoor learning facilitator at Wishview Children’s Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. They have worked in early education for almost eight years.

What's one fun non-work activity you like to do? 

Where I live there are a lot of industries that use leather and the leftovers of these industries are available at local scrap exchange...I take leftover, reclaimed leather and craft things from them. I've gotten pretty good at hand stitching and other basic skills. I've even made a few handbags and a jerkin (like a short one-piece vest) for my son's Halloween costume. 

What is one of your favorite things about your job? 

Watching kids learn new skills, gain independence, and come into their own.

What ECE workforce policy change would you like to see? 

ECE professionals should be paid and have benefits packages equal to other professional educational salaries and benefits.

In the News

Childcare issues still snarl work for parents of young children

August 18, 2022 • Fortune

Child Care Facilities, After-School Programs Struggle To Find Employees For Fall Sessions

August 8, 2022 • Webster-Kirkwood Times

California child-care providers fight to ‘retire with dignity’

August 8, 2022 • LA Times

We have to address the fact that the system is funded through these really low wages that childcare teachers make—and parents can’t afford to pay more.

—CSCCE’s Elena Montoya in Fortune

Share on Social Media

New from @CSCCEUCB: 1st comprehensive study in 15 years details poverty wages, scant benefits of California’s #childcare workforce http://ow.ly/IaKk50Knv8q We need #childcare reform now!

Link to Tweet