A new report from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) at UC Berkeley reveals the dire reality faced by childcare workers across the United States. Despite their crucial role in nurturing and educating our children, these skilled educators are grappling with poverty-level wages, even as the cost of childcare continues to rise for families. This sobering issue highlights the urgent need for public investment and policy reforms to support this vital workforce.
The Shocking Realities of Childcare Worker Compensation
The 2024 Early Childhood Workforce Index paints a bleak picture of the financial struggles faced by childcare providers and their teachers. Across every state, these dedicated professionals are earning poverty-level wages, despite the vital role they play in children’s development.
According to the report, early educators in the United States earn less than 97% of all other occupations. The situation is even more dire for Black and Latina women, who on average are paid up to $8,000 less than their peers each year, even when they hold equivalent educational degrees. This stark disparity highlights the systemic inequities that have long plagued the childcare industry.
The Impact of Losing COVID-Era Subsidies
The report from CSCCE also sheds light on the worsening financial conditions for childcare providers and teachers, as federal COVID-19 relief funding has expired. Corrine Hendrickson, a home-based childcare provider in Wisconsin, shared her experience: “Federal emergency funding made my family’s finances the most stable they have ever been.”
Now, with these crucial lifelines gone, many programs are being forced to close or increase costs for parents. Hendrickson noted, “Because our state refuses to invest in childcare, I’ve been forced to raise rates $70 a week over the last year, yet I’m earning $12 an hour.” This precarious situation is leaving families struggling to find affordable, quality care for their children.
Promising State Initiatives and the Path Forward
Despite the bleak national landscape, the report also highlights promising state initiatives that demonstrate the potential for positive change. According to Caitlin McLean, CSCCE Director of Multistate and International Programs, “The Early Childhood Workforce Index shows that early educators’ poor working conditions are not inevitable, but a product of policy choices.”
States like Illinois, Kentucky, and Vermont are leading the way by implementing policies to support their early childhood workforce, with or without federal funding. Recommended policies include investing in direct public funding to provide a living wage, health care, and safe, supportive work environments for early educators.
As Lea Austin, CSCCE Executive Director and co-author of the report, stated: “Imagine the impact of public investment that fairly compensates early educators for the important work they do. We’d see a more stable workforce, and families could find quality, affordable care.” With the 2025 elections on the horizon, this critical moment presents an opportunity for policymakers and advocates to take action and support the essential early childhood workforce.
