Striking differences exist in the child care costs as a proportion of family income. Clearly, the problems of inadequate quality, inadequate compensation, and lack of affordable access continue to be major issues in the provision of early childhood services. The ability of many early childhood programs to provide high-quality services is in jeopardy because they lack sufficient resources to fully cover the costs of quality. As a result, the development and well-being of millions of children may be at risk. The National Association for the Education of Young Children believes that good quality for all children, equitable compensation for all staff, and affordable access for all families are essential elements for the provision of early childhood services in this country.
All children have the right to attend good programs that promote their development and learning.
The current mix of service delivery, offering parents a choice of program type, should be continued. Compensation All early childhood programs should provide staff equitable salaries and benefits commensurate with their qualifications and job responsibilities. Affordability High-quality early childhood programs should be available to all families who want or need their service at a price that each family can afford. The goal must be to ensure high-quality programs and affordable access without relying on the hidden subsidy of an early childhood staff inadequately compensated. These inequities must be addressed, with additional resources targeted toward providing assistance to low-income families.