CSCCE Report Details Conditions for U.S. Early Childhood Workforce

The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) has released its Early Childhood Workforce Index 2024 study that examines working conditions for early educators across the 50 states.

This year’s study found that Pennsylvania was making strides in one area and modest improvement in two others - but was less successful in two other areas.

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The study notes that early childhood educators are primarily women - and often women of color - whose current working conditions undermine their well-being and create financial insecurity well into retirement age. As a result, these conditions lead to high turnover rates and teacher staffing shortages, which limit the availability of care for families.

The report finds that early childhood education is at a crossroads as the last American Rescue Plan Act funding dedicated to child care expired in September, broader pandemic relief funding is dwindling, and the 2024 election will bring new leadership.

CCSCE calls for greater investment in the early care and education workforce, noting that many early educators still struggle in poverty and programs are having difficulty recruiting and retaining staff.

State By State

The report grades every state on four qualifications:

• Qualifications and educational supports

• Work environments

• Compensation and financial relief

• Workforce data

• Public funding

Pennsylvania was found to be “making headway” in the workforce data category, while seen to be “edging forward” in the qualifications and educational supports and work environments areas. However, the state was found to be “stalled” in regard to compensation and financial relief and public funding.

No states were found to be “making headway” in all four areas and only seven were determined to be doing so in more than one category.

The full report is available online.