High-Quality Early Learning Settings Depend on a High-Quality Workforce Low Compensation Undermines Quality

This report discusses the importance of supporting the early learning workforce – nearly a totality of whom are women – not only to improve the quality of early learning programs, but also to ensure fair pay so that they can support their own families. The report discusses how high-quality early learning matters for healthy child development and how the wage gap undermines children’s outcomes. It presents data on workforce earnings across states, as well as relevant state demographics and the recent federal efforts to support the early childhood workforce.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Education

2016