ECE Workforce Related Resources & Research Library
Compensation & Benefits
The Child Care WAGE$® Program– This program provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid teachers, directors and family child care providers working with children between the ages of birth to five in participating counties in NC.
Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$® Program– This program provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid early educators working full-time with children birth through age two in North Carolina.
Improving Child Care Compensation Backgrounder-2021– A report from the Build Initiative provides “tactical information to help leaders better understand the policy levers available to support early educator compensation.” It includes examples of states and counties implementing in different ways the eight strategies covered in the backgrounder, which are: compensation scales and standards, wage stipends and bonus payments, individual tax credits for child care educators, ARPA child care stabilization subgrants, child care assistance, benefits, apprenticeships, and pre-K parity for child care.”
“Working in Early Care and Education in NC: 2019 Workforce Study” -This resource provides data, surveys, and statistics on the workforce in the early childhood education field in NC.
NC Early Childhood Compensation Collaborative Model Salary Scale for Early Childhood Education Teachers– In 2021, the NCICDP, along with other ECE partners across the state released a Model Salary Scale for ECE Teachers. The scale was revised in May 2023. This scale built upon the early work of the Institute’s original salary schedules. In addition, members of the Institute Compensation Workgroup is finalizing a tool kit to assist administrators, higher education faculty and TA/PD providers in helping child care programs to implement a model salary scale to improve early childhood compensation.
ECE Compensation Workforce Strategies Database– Researchers at the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) have released a new (2021) database of strategies to increase compensation and/or provide financial relief for the early care and education (ECE) workforce including exploring the use of ARPA and public funds.
How are States Tackling the Early Childhood Educator Compensation Crisis?– A 2022 article from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) sharing various initiatives and strategies to support the ECE Workforce.
Learning Community Project: Bold on Early Educator Compensation– A 2022 project from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) working with 7 states during 2022 to tackle ECE Compensation.
Equitable Compensation for the Child Care Workforce: Within Reach and Worth the Investment– A 2020 report from Bank Street College of Education outlining the importance of raising ECE compensation, public investments and parity.
Compensation Matters Most Why and How States Should Use Child Care Relief Funding to Increase Compensation for the Early Childhood Education Workforce– A June 2021 NAEYC article discussing the criticalness of increasing compensation for the ECE workforce as well as potential strategies.
The American Rescue Plan: Recommendations for Addressing Early Educator Compensation and Supports – May 2021 article from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) discussing how ARPA and other funds could be used to raise Early Childhood Educator Compensation.
Racial Wage Gaps in Early Childhood Education Employment– Center for the Study of Child Care Employment- 2019 article discussing racial and economic inequalities that exist in the ECE field.
State and National Experts Lead Conversation on Minimum Wage and ECE– June 2021 Webinar from the Alliance for Early Success that discusses the impacts of changes to Minimum Wage and ECE Compensation.
Victory! Major Investments in Compensation and Health Coverage for Essential Child Care Workers Child care advances in Washington’s 2021 legislative session– Article discusses the state of Washington’s victory in successfully including Early Childhood Educator’s compensation efforts into the state budget. Washington state’s child care career and wage ladder in legislation can also be found here.
Using Contracts to Support the Early Childhood Workforce: Thinking Outside the Box– A 2021 released report from the Urban Institute that lays out more than 30 contracting strategies states might consider using to achieve their goals to support the ECE workforce.
American Rescue Plan: An Opportunity for Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance for the Child Care Workforce– An April 2021 article from Child Care Services Association providing strategies and resources for ensuring Early Childhood Educators are able to have no-cost or low-cost health-care benefits using the Healthcare.gov Marketplace and taking advantage of the recent 2021 health care affordability changes made due to the American Rescue Plan.
NC Child Care Center Staffing Study (2021 Survey Results)– In Sept. 2021, the NC Child Care Resource & Referral Council sponsored a survey for NC Child Care Centers to better understand the current staffing challenges child care centers are facing. Information on staffing, salaries and other workforce along with strategies for hiring and retaining are included. A one page fact-sheet of results can also be found here.
A Two Generation Approach to Early Childhood: The Role of Wages and Compensation and Wages in Achieving Quality and Access Goals– A 2019 report from the NC Justice Center outlines the importance of compensation for quality ECE services for children and families and the current impacts on the ECE workforce of low wages.
The American Rescue Plan: Recommendations for Addressing Early Childhood Compensation & Supports– 2021 article from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) outlining recommendations for increased compensation for the ECE workforce using ARPA funds as well as the need for long-term investments.
Increased Compensation for Early Educators– It’s Not Just “Nice to Have”–It’s a Must Have– 2020 Article from “Words on the Workforce” from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) outlining policy recommendations for increased compensation for the ECE workforce, compensation terms glossary, and additional compensation resources.
American Federation of Teachers: Early Childhood Education-In 2002, the Center for the Child Care Workforce (CCW) merged with the AFT Educational Foundation and became the Center for the Child Care Workforce, A Project of the American Federation of Teachers, Educational Foundation. This union represents nearly 90,000 early childhood educators in every early learning setting, from public schools, Head Start programs, and child care centers to family child care homes.
Careers in Early Childhood- a NC Directory– A career guide outlining the various career options in NC for those in the Early Childhood Field. Information includes overview of job responsibilities, information on salary, worksites, educational requirements and more.
A Look at Salary & Wage Scales for the Early Childhood Educator Workforce– The TEACH National Center released a white paper in Fall 2021 intended to provide states and cities with the knowledge to begin developing early childhood workforce salary scales.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics– See the latest Occupational and Wage Statistics Data reports. Preschool Teachers; Child Care Workers; Preschool and Child Care Center Directors; Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
Living Wage Calculator-– MIT developed this living wage calculator to estimate the cost of living in your community or region. The calculator lists typical expenses, the living wage and typical wages for the selected location. The original calculator was modeled after the Economic Policy Institute’s metropolitan living wage tool.
Payroll Calculator – Intuit offers a free payroll calculator to crunch the numbers and show you how much to pay and what to deduct for taxes original calculator.
NC Wage & Hour Laws– In North Carolina, the minimum wage is the same as the federal minimum wage. Adhering to state and federal Wage and Hour Laws is critical for attracting and retaining early are and education and school age care professionals. This site provides many resources that can inform employers an employees of rights regarding time worked and wages earned.
US (States) Minimum Wage Laws– This site provides a quick view and information on all 50 US states and their minimum wages.
Institute Salary Schedule Examples: Based on the Early Educator Certification levels (EEC), the Institute provided three examples as guidance of ways programs could work to continue to increase teacher compensation based on education/EEC levels. Three examples are provided here: Teacher Example, Assistant Teacher Example, Master Mentor Teacher Example
Early Educator Certification Benefits “Marketplace” Portal– Certified early educators are provided access to a host of discounts and benefits through the EEC Rewards & Benefits portal. Certified early educators can save on supplies, every day purchases, business services, professional development, entertainment venues, computers, cell phones and more. Vendors interested in providing an EEC Rewards should contact Erin Speer Smith at erin7476@gmail.com.
Health Insurance Benefits for Early Childhood Educators- The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Question & Answer Fact Sheet provides an overview of the ACA and its impacts for the Early Childhood Education Workforce. Access the Marketplace to apply or re-enroll for Health Insurance Marketplace coverage.
Affordable Care Act Repeal and Medicaid Changes Would Hurt Early Care and Education Providers, Reduce Quality of Early Childhood Education– A 2017 paper released from CLASP outlining the importance of the Affordable Care Act for Early Childhood Educators and their families.
NC LINC System– LINC is an interactive data retrieval service including information on population, labor force, wages, education, transportation, revenue, agriculture, vital statistics, energy and utilities, and other topics for a variety of geographic areas within the state of NC.
Child Care Workforce Compensation- A Key Component for Economic Recovery– This article from NC Smart Start and Child Care Services Association published in 2021 discusses the importance of supporting the workforce (ECE) behind the workforce.
National Classroom Staff (Workforce) Survey (2019)- Classroom Staff (Workforce) Questionnaire topics included information on Qualifications and Experience; Employment Schedule and Compensation; Activities in the Classroom; People in the Classroom; Staff Attitudes and Orientation to Caregiving; Demographics
Higher Education
Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators– This document outlines the national ECE core body of knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions early childhood educators must demonstrate to effectively promote the development, learning, and well-being of all young children.
Nationally Accredited Higher Education Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation)– This site provides a listing of all Early Childhood Education programs/colleges/universities that are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Faculty Webinar & Resources for 4th edition of DAP- Faculty will learn about new faculty resources including the online faculty supporting charts that provide additional readings and teaching activities and connect DAP to the Professional Competencies and Standards. The video explains how to access the faculty resources and promotes the adoption of the text in the first year and for use throughout the program.
ACCESS– The Associate Degree Early Childhood Teacher Educators – ACCESS to Shared Knowledge and Practice, commonly known as ACCESS, is a national, non-profit 501(c) (3) membership association whose purpose is to support and advocate for associate degree programs in the preparation of early childhood professionals who teach and care for young children from birth through age 8 across a variety of programs; and the instructors who teach in those programs.
NAECTE– The National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Educators is an association with members from all across the United States and countries around the globe joined together by a common interest in Early Childhood Teacher Education.
Ensuring Quality in Early Childhood Education Professional Preparation Programs: NAEYC’s Early Childhood Higher Education Accreditation Standards– New 2021 standards for higher education programs pursuing NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation.
Nationally Accredited Teacher Education Programs in the US.- This site provides the nationally accredited teacher ed. programs/institutions throughout the United States. Typically these programs lead to teacher licensure. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) merged with CAEP in September 2014.
The NC Uniform Articulation Agreement- Early Childhood Education between the University of North Carolina Early Childhood Education and Birth to Kindergarten programs and the NC Community College System Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs was established and put into effect Fall 2018 and is overseen by a Transfer Committee.
NAEYC’s Higher Education Resources– Resources can be found here for ECE higher ed. program faculty teaching and administering ECE college & university programs.
Early Childhood Personnel Center Professional Preparation Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators– These resources for higher education (IHE) faculty and professional development (PD) providers are designed to facilitate the integration of the Initial Practice-Based Professional Preparation Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators (EI/ECSE).
Preparing a Profession: Perspectives of Higher Education Leaders of the Future of the Early Childhood Education Workforce– A Fall 2021 report based on NAEYC’s surveys with nearly 30 higher education leaders from institutions of higher ed. and national higher ed. organizations regarding their perspectives about the current state of the ECE field and their institutions’ role in strengthening the profession. Opportunities for ECE higher education programs to gain stature as well as the deep structural barriers that prevent current and prospective students from fully accessing early childhood education degree programs are discussed.
NC’s Career and College Promise (CCP)- Career & College Promise (CCP)– CCP is North Carolina’s dual enrollment program for high school students. This program allows eligible NC high school students to enroll in college classes at North Carolina community colleges and universities through their high school. In many counties, Early Childhood Education courses (EDU) are available to CCP students through the career and technical education pathway.
Workforce Education Unit at DCDEE– The Workforce Education Unit supports the early childhood workforce in meeting educational requirements by completing education evaluations based on North Carolina Child Care laws and rules.
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® North Carolina Scholarship Program– T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood provides educational scholarships to early care professionals and those who perform specialized functions in the early care system.
The NC Early Educator Support (EES) Unit– The EES Unit provides licensure support for Early Childhood Lead Teachers at each type of licensure. Early Childhood Lead Teachers who are employed by nonpublic schools (NC Pre-K, Developmental Day, Head Start, MECK Pre-K, and other locally funded Early Childhood programs) must enroll with the EES Unit.
Alternative Pathways to Obtaining a NC Teacher License: Residency License– Residency License (RL) is a one-year license that has replaced the Lateral Entry License. This is the alternative pathway to obtain a teaching license in North Carolina
Program Designs and Practices to Support Candidate Learning and Success draws from data collected through NAEYC’s higher education accreditation system to describe candidate characteristics in ECE programs as well as common practices higher education programs use to support student/candidate success.
NEA- National Education Association: Early Childhood Education– The National Education Association (NEA) is more than 3 million people—educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society. This also includes professionals and advocacy work in Early Childhood Education.
Professional Development
Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators– This document outlines the national ECE core body of knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions early childhood educators must demonstrate to effectively promote the development, learning, and well-being of all young children.
Early Childhood Personnel Center Professional Preparation Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators– These resources for higher education (IHE) faculty and professional development (PD) providers are designed to facilitate the integration of the Initial Practice-Based Professional Preparation Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators (EI/ECSE).
Training and Technical Assistance Glossary– This revised resource from 2023 includes updated definitions related to professional development (PD) including methods, roles, knowledge and capabilities.
“Professional Development Plan for Center-Based Early Educators” -This plan is required annually for NC Early Childhood teachers to write down their professional goals, short-term and long-term, and how they plan to achieve them.
“Professional Development Plan for Family Child Care Homes” -This plan is required annually for teachers to write down their professional goals, short-term and long-term, and how they plan to achieve them.
Implementation Strategies and Reflections on Practice Based Coaching in State Early Childhood PD Systems– This recorded webinar discussed how Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) supports effective teaching practices that lead to positive outcomes for all children. Webinar provides examples of how several states embed PBC into their professional development system and use the Coaching Companion.
Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Professional Development Use Among the Early Care and Education Workforce (2020)- This report explores how often, and under what conditions, center-based and home-based ECE teachers and caregivers participate in PD activities. Characteristics and factors such as demographic characteristics like race/ethnicity, language, and immigrant status and implications for federal state agencies overseeing PD systems for ECE teachers and caregivers are discussed.
Webinar/Session Recording from ACF’s 2020 National Research Conference on Early Childhood: Opening the Black Box of Coaching in Early Care and Education Professional Development and Quality Improvement Childhood– This webinar presenters shared insights about features of coaching and how to assess what aspects of coaching make a difference for improving ECE practice.
Professional Development for the Infant/Toddler Early Care and Education Workforce– This paper offers a framework and approaches to strengthen professional development opportunities for the infant/toddler workforce.
Professional Development in States- This site from Zero to Three provides a variety of examples from all across the United States of initiatives, programs and other innovative strategies for creating an integrated professional development system incorporating personnel preparation and training around evidence-based core competencies, articulation into college degrees, alternative pathways to credentials, and links higher levels of training to increased compensation.
“NAEYC: Professional Development” – These resources, provided by NAEYC, give information on online learning opportunities, webinars, and in person trainings, annual conferences, and global engagements to meet professional development goals.
Early Childhood Education Professional Development: Adult Education Glossary– A guide to educational institution related terms often used in credit bearing professional development.
Early Childhood Education Professional Development: Training & Technical Assistance Glossary– A guide to terms often used and associated with non-credit bearing training and technical assistance professional development.
IACET- Continuing Education Providers– This provides a listing of IACET approved Continuing Education Unit (CEU) providers for professional development.
Child Care Information Exchange Out of the Box Training Kits– Kits available for purchase to be used for early childhood professional development training classes.
Child Care Education Institute– Online professional development courses for teachers and child care providers that meet state training requirements and are awarded IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Quality Assist– Online professional development courses (pay by course) for ECE professionals. Some courses are also available in Spanish.
Adult Learning Scholarly Articles– Articles from 2017 to present on aspects of Adult Learning.
Education of the ECE Workforce
Impact of ECE Teacher Education on Program Quality, Child Outcomes or Teachers: A Partial List of Research Evidence– The NC Institute of Child Development Professionals created this resource in Sept. 2022 to provide a list of partial research evidence supporting education for the ECE Workforce.
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® North Carolina Scholarship Program– T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood provides educational scholarships to early care professionals and those who perform specialized functions in the early care system.
Careers in Early Childhood- a NC Directory– A career guide outlining the various career options in NC for those in the Early Childhood Field. Information includes overview of job responsibilities, information on salary, worksites, educational requirements and more. Pages 14-16 provide information on all higher education institutions in NC offering college coursework/degrees in Early Childhood Education.
NAEYC’s Higher Education Resources– Resources can be found here for potential ECE college students including information on finding colleges with ECE programs nationwide (nation wide directory), what ECE higher ed. program accreditation means to you as a student and why it matters and other resources to help you pursue your college education and degrees in the ECE field.
Campbell Collaborate Study on ERS and Teacher Qualifications (2017)– This review examines the empirical evidence on the relationship between teacher qualifications and the quality of the early childhood learning environment. Higher teacher qualifications are positively associated with higher quality in early childhood education and care.
“Checking in On the Child Care Landscape: 2019 Fact Sheets” -This fact sheet provides an overview of information regarding childcare availability and quality rating systems.
Professional Development in States– This site from Zero to Three provides a variety of examples from all across the United States of initiatives, programs and other innovative strategies for creating an integrated professional development system incorporating personnel preparation and training around evidence-based core competencies, articulation into college degrees, alternative pathways to credentials, and links higher levels of training to increased compensation.
“State Policies to Improve Early Childhood Educator Jobs: Workforce Data”-The Child Care Workforce Index is a biennial report that describes early childhood employment conditions and policies on a state-by-state basis. Providing states with periodic appraisals of their efforts based on measurable status and policy indicators, the Index is aimed at encouraging states to step up their efforts to address persistent workforce challenges.
“Working in Early Care and Education in NC: 2019 Workforce Study” -This resource provides data, surveys, and statistics on the workforce in the early childhood education field in NC.
“Head Start Teacher: Education, Job, and Salary Information” -This resource provides background information regarding the qualifications needed to be a Head Start teacher, what the job consists of, and an average salary range.
“TEACH Early Childhood Annual Report 2020-2021” -This report includes the information for the national annual report for 2020-2021 for TEACH Early Childhood Program and Child Care WAGE$.
Advocacy & NC Policy Makers
Busting the Myths for the Early Childhood Workforce– A 2022 resource from the NCICDP sharing 7 common myths about the ECE profession and research and information to help refute those common misconceptions.
Building Bipartisan Support for Child Care Toolkit (2023)– “This toolkit can help partners across the nation—in states and localities with a range of political leanings—understand the child care landscape, establish new relationships, and build bipartisan solutions for child care’s most pressing challenges.” A resource from the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Deregulation Won’t Solve Child Care, but it will Decrease Safety and Supply (A resource for policy makers)- An Aug. 2022 brief from NAEYC outlining the impacts of potential de-regulation in the child care industry and the importance of increasing access, quality and affordability of early childhood education. (See below for link to companion resource for advocates.)
A Companion Resource for Advocates: Deregulation Won’t Solve Child Care, but it will Decrease Safety and Supply– A companion piece to the Aug. 2022 brief from NAEYC outlining the impacts of potential de-regulation in the child care industry and the importance of increasing access, quality and affordability of early childhood education. This helps to provide directions to advocates and examples of various state efforts.
How a Bill Becomes a Law in NC– In NC child care laws are passed ultimately by the state legislators and the governor.
Bill Tracker – Track bills proposed and their progress through the chambers of the NC Legislature.
NC Legislative Library– The Legislative Library is a great resource to help you find out more about laws, review legislative committee meeting minutes, find out committee meeting dates and much more.
NC Legislative Websites- Office of the Governor, House of Representatives and Senate
NC Child Care Commission– The Child Care Commission has responsibility to create, amend or repeal rules to implement Child Care Law in North Carolina.
NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (NCDCDEE)- DCDEE works to ensure the health and safety of children in child care programs, to promote quality child care by implementing evidenced-based standards and to increase access to quality child care to families and children across North Carolina.
The North Carolina Early Education Coalition– The Coalition is the only statewide advocacy coalition dedicated to promoting high quality, accessible and affordable child care in North Carolina. Their membership includes statewide organizations, regional and local child care agencies, child care providers and individuals committed to improving the quality of child care and early childhood education in North Carolina.
National Women’s Law Center- Child Care and Early Learning– The National Women’s Law Center conducts research, provides resources and advocates for a variety of issues, one of which is Early Childhood Education.
Raising the Future: America’s Child Care Dilemma– This PBS News Hour episode that aired in Oct. 2021 examines the nation’s fractured child care system and its impact on women, children, people of color and the economy and this page provides multiple resources for better understanding and advocating for high quality child care and for the ECE workforce.
Is Child Care a Public Responsibility? This podcast episode/article aired from the New York Times in Oct. 2021 and shares the realities of Child Care and Early Childhood Education programs in the US including specific coverage from here in NC.
Increasing Federal Investment in Children’s Early Care and Education to Raise Quality, Access, and Affordability– The authors of this May 2021 report propose to unify the ECE system under clear funding streams and quality standards. In doing so, compensation for child-care workers would be significantly improved and it would ensure efficient use of funds. Together, the reforms promoted here would ensure that all American children can benefit from receiving high-quality early care and no family will fall deeper into poverty while trying to pay for it.
Re-envisioning Early Childhood Policy and Practice in a World of Striking Inequality and Uncertainty– This January 2022 document from Jack Shankoff of Harvard University’s Center for the Developing Child furthers the original research and science behind brain development and the importance of the early childhood years and the field of ECE. Read his latest installment/update to his original findings (2.0) which provides further focus and direction for advocacy, changes and public policy.
Additional Early Childhood/Child Care Statistics and Research Resources
Catalyzing Growth: Using Data to Change Child Care– The Year in Child Care: 2021 Data, Analysis and Recommendations by Child Care Aware of America
NC Child Care Snapshot– Brief summary of child care demographics of North Carolina including child demographic data, NC child care facility highlights, and a link to the latest Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) plan for NC.
Early Childhood Education Data Repository – North Carolina, Child Care Services Association-Searchable data gathered from multiple sources is divided into the following topics: Child Care, Young Children and their Families, Early Care and Education Use, Early Care and Education Programs, and Infant Toddler Care.
The Build Initiative– Build Initiative’s website is full of resources, advocacy tools, state initiatives, professional development opportunities, reports and data that can assist in learning more about how to build equitable early childhood systems.
2020 Child Care In America– 2020 State fact sheets of child care data by state from Child Care Aware.
Monthly Regulated NC Child Care Statistical Report, NC Division of Child Development and Early Education-1000+ page monthly statement providing child care licensing data for each of the more than 9000 individual child care centers and family child care homes across NC.
National Workforce Registry Alliance -Resources found here can inform about ECE workforce registries across the country with resources on data related support on the workforce, standards of quality for workforce data systems, and a strong national voice driving relevant policies and initiatives.
NAEYC accreditation databases contains data on accredited early learning and higher education programs.
A Guide to Reform Using the 2020 Early Childhood Workforce Index- This presentation held in Feb. 2021 provides resources and state and national data on the ECE field along with strategies for taking action to improve working conditions for early educators and strengthen our early care and education system for children and families.
Early Childhood Employment Opportunities
The following links can provide early childhood professionals with sites and organizations that post career opportunities within the Early Childhood Education field both in NC and nationally.
NC Association for the Education of Young Children (NCAEYC) JobsLink
Smart Start Jobs (NC Partnership for Children and Local NC Partnership Agencies)
Child Care Positions in NC via Indeed.com
Early Childhood Education Positions in NC via Indeed.com
Child Care Positions in NC via Glassdoor.com
Early Childhood Education Positions in NC via Glassdoor.com
NC Government/State Job Vacancies
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Job Seekers Career Center
