when we shortchange our teachers, we shortchange our kids

Washington’s professional development system for child care providers is fragmented; providers face a number of barriers to accessing education and training opportunities they need to get their young charges ready for school.

For example, many child care providers work full-time while also pursuing their degrees in early education, often without financial aid. The low wages earned by most child care providers often prevent them from seeking additional education and training. Some providers leave the field entirely, creating a shortage of skilled workers. Others seeking additional education and training are faced with a variety of community training programs that are not aligned with higher education programs.

Washington needs a comprehensive professional development and compensation system that will ensure early learning providers deliver high-quality education and care to the nearly 170,000 children in licensed settings.

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Featured Publication

Pathways to Quality

Stakeholders from across the early care and education spectrum joined together to investigate what it will take to achieve a strong professional development system for early learning providers that will result in quality care and long-term outcomes for children.

Executive Summary »

Full Report »

Legislation

2009

House Bill 1943

Requiring recommendations for preparation and professional development for the early learning and school-age program workforce.

Text of Bill »