Public investments in salaries as well as training are needed to stabilize the workforce, especially in light of increasing demand and increasing demand for quality. Today's early childhood workforce is relatively well educated but earning at minimum wage levels. We need to know what level of compensation will be needed to maintain this workforce, and what level will be needed if we are to meet current demands for increased education and professionalism as well as more child care. Young children are almost never left with no care while their parents work. However, they are very often left with low quality care that harms their development.
Children are public goods.
Improved wages for adequately trained teachers are part of that cost. Educate the public and mobilize powerful constituencies. Link child care and elder care quality campaigns. Anticipate the need for both state and federal strategies. Define the population of dependent care givers.