We work in partnership with the early care and education workforce.
The National Early Care and Education (ECE) Workforce Center is a joint research and technical assistance center that equips state and local leaders to drive change in ECE workforce policy. This center builds on the broader efforts of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the ECE workforce by using a research-to-practice model to advance equitable compensation and career advancement for early educators.
Featured Resources
Our collection of original and curated resources offers the latest research, practical guidance, and examples of innovation to inform the advancement of the ECE workforce.
Grow Your Own ECE: Higher Education as an Essential Partner
This brief builds upon the ideas in “Grow Your Own ECE: An Introduction” and “Grow Your Own ECE: Cultivating Community Partnerships,” […]
Published 2024
Grow Your Own ECE: Higher Education Reflection Tool
This tool aims to assist institutions of higher education (IHEs) reflect on their readiness and capacity to participate in programs […]
Published 2024
Grow Your Own ECE: Program Leader Guidance
This brief builds upon the ideas presented in “Grow Your Own ECE: Cultivating Community Partnerships” to provide practical guidance for […]
Published 2024
Key Topics
The foundation of our work is based on five key policy areas, or key topics, sourced from the Early Childhood Workforce Index created by the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE). Knowing that compensation and career advancement represent the most pressing needs of the field and are most closely tied to systemic inequities, we are currently prioritizing our work on these areas.
Compensation & Financial Relief Strategies
Initiatives and investments to ensure compensation equal to the value of early educators’ work
Financial Resources
Public investment in the ECE workforce and broader ECE system
Qualifications & Educational Support
Policies and pathways that provide consistent standards for educators to achieve higher education
Work Environment Standards
Standards for providing safe and supportive work environments for early educators
Workforce Data
State-level collection of important data on the size, characteristics, and working conditions of the ECE workforce
Get Involved
Integrated Research & Policy Fellowship Program
The National ECE Workforce Center is recruiting four fellows for the second cohort of our Integrated Research & Policy Fellowship Program. The 12-month program, which includes 15-20 hours per month of program activities and a $12,500 stipend, will run from February 2025—January 2026.
There are two tracks, each with two fellows. Candidates for the research track must be currently enrolled graduate students in fields related to ECE, while policy track applicants must be current professionals such as early educators or others active in the ECE sector.
Applications are due November 6, 2024.
Register for our informational webinar on October 21, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Early Educator Advisory Board
We are developing an Early Educator Advisory Board to ensure that the work of the National ECE Workforce Center is meaningful and impactful to the workforce.
Serving as thought partners and advisors, this board will contribute to activities across research and technical assistance and will be composed of teachers representing settings across the sector, including home-based programs, Head Start, community-based centers, tribal child care programs, and state preschools. Board members will receive honorariums.
Please stay tuned for more information.
Meet our Fellows
