Other than parents, teachers and child care providers have the most significant and long-lasting impact on a child’s educational trajectory.

But unlivable wages and challenging work conditions are major barriers to recruiting and retaining well-qualified Early Learning teachers and caregivers in California.

Recognizing that the Early Learning and Care workforce is predominantly composed of underpaid women, and disproportionately women of color,2 teachers and caregivers must receive professional and equitable compensation and benefits that help ensure the recruitment and retention of a quality workforce.

Early Learning teachers and caregivers who have access to ongoing professional development and resources are better equipped to further child development, provide trauma-informed care, and deliver linguistically and culturally competent care that supports the whole child.

Those who are well prepared:

  • Establish warm relationships with children and respond to their needs and learning interests
  • Support children who live in households where a language other than English is spoken
  • Support children with special needs
  • Are sensitive to children’s diverse cultural backgrounds
  • Observe and evaluate children’s learning
  • Foster children’s curiosity for learning
  • Plan and design age-appropriate lessons 
  • Create welcoming places where children can learn 

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But without adequate training, pay, or benefits, Early Learning teachers and caregivers are often not able to meet the varied developmental and educational needs of the children in their care.

Vision
Our Vision

Early Learning teachers and caregivers should receive the training, equitable compensation, and resources they need to meet the educational and developmental needs of children in their care.

What Early Edge California Is Doing to Increase Investment in Early Learning Teachers and Caregivers

At Early Edge California, we’re building a coalition to advance a unified policy agenda to increase support for Early Learning teachers.

We advocate for:

  • Raising compensation
  • Improving preparation
  • Increasing access to high-quality professional development

Our goal is that all Early Learning teachers and caregivers can provide children with high-quality, developmentally appropriate care and instruction.

 

The Facts About California's Early Learning Teachers

teachers
After parents, teachers play the most important role in children’s development.
workforce
Early Learning teachers in California are underpaid, under supported, and often unable to access professional development opportunities.
workforce - copy
There is no standard teaching credential required for Early Learning teachers in California.
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