The University of Colorado's Cost Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers report found that states with more demanding licensing standards had fewer poor quality centers. But it is not a societal value. Even in high quality centers, the pay and prestige of workers is low. The minimum wage has gone up since the study was done, and a tight labor market may have driven salaries up slightly. But the going rate for those who care for our babies and children still is comparable to what you'd get as a short-order cook.
Bad pay comes with poor benefits.
Not even a third contributed to health insurance. Another consequence is that good, dedicated child care workers often get tired of a job that requires them to make personal sacrifices the work place doesn't demand of more valued employees. Like burger flippers. One study showed that Maricopa County has a 60 percent turnover rate for child care workers. Babies grieve when a caregiver leaves,'' Lally said.