Our Publications
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Research Snack Time Newsletters – Archive
Between December 2024 and December 2025, the National ECE Workforce Center distributed the Research Snack Time newsletter to its mailing listserv. Intended for policy and program leaders, early care and education (ECE) providers, ECE support organizations, higher education leaders, and researchers, the newsletter covered topics such as ECE apprenticeships, pay parity initiatives, and educator voice.…
Published 2026
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Communities for Action (CFA) Evaluation Report
This evaluation report provides state leaders and other partners across the ECE field with a roadmap for using the Center’s Communities for Action (CFA) model of cohort-based technical assistance to drive early care and education (ECE) systems change. It shares how 12 states built action plans to recognize competencies gained through experience as part of…
Published 2026
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Workforce Pell and the Early Care and Education Sector
This National ECE Workforce Center policy highlight takes a closer look at the new Workforce Pell Grant program that expands Pell Grant eligibility to short-term trainings and certifications that lead to industry-recognized credentials. This Workforce Pell Grant presents an opportunity to support entry-level credentials and stackable career pathways, which could strengthen the pipeline of qualified…
Published 2026
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Five Things to Know About Recruitment and Retention in Head Start in 2026
This research highlight features new analysis of recruitment and retention trends for the Head Start workforce. Through focus groups with Head Start leaders, a review of research and policy literature, and analysis of 2023-2024 Program Information Report (PIR) data, we identified five key findings on the complex, interwoven factors that contribute to recruitment and retention…
Published 2026
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Wages, Benefits, and Financial Circumstances of Center-Based Infant-Toddler Educators
This research highlight features new analysis of center-based infant-toddler educators’ workplace supports and financial circumstances using the 2024 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE). We found that infant-toddler educators earned lower wages, reported more financial constraints, and reported less access to workplace benefits such as employer-based health insurance and paid time off, compared to other center-based early educators. Our brief outlines detailed findings alongside helpful data visualizations, shares actions state and local leaders are taking…
Published 2026
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State Models for Financing Early Educator Wage Scales
This National ECE Workforce Center research-to-practice brief outlines three steps states can take to finance a wage scale for their ECE workforce. Written for policymakers and advocates, the brief answers common questions about what goes into estimations of wage scale costs, highlights examples of how states have funded wages up to wage scale minimums, and outlines how future research can support the…
Published 2026
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Building Supportive Systems for the ECE Workforce: Research on Compensation, Career Pathways, and Working Conditions
In its first year (2023), the Center conducted an extensive environmental scan of recent and foundational research to identify lessons from and knowledge gaps in policies and programs that support the ECE workforce. We used this environmental scan to inform our research agenda and technical assistance offerings. This publication presents key findings from the research…
Published 2026
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Economic Hardship Among Home-Based Early Educators
This research highlight features a new analysis of home-based educators’ experiences with economic hardship (e.g. household income, participation in supplemental nutrition programs, and student loan debt) using the 2024 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE). We found that there is significant variability in economic hardship by home-based early educators’ race and ethnicity. Our brief outlines detailed findings alongside helpful data visualizations, shares actions state and local leaders are taking to ease economic hardship…
Published 2026
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Workplace Supports for the Health and Well-being of Home-based Early Educators
This research highlight features a new analysis of workplace supports (e.g., paid sick time, daily meal breaks, health insurance) home-based educators reported receiving through the 2024 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE). We found that less than half of home-based early educators nationwide have paid sick leave or access to health or mental health professionals. Our brief outlines detailed findings alongside helpful…
Published 2026
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Strategies to Recognize Early Educators’ Skills and Competencies Gained Through Experience
To increase retention of the ECE workforce, states and institutions of higher education (IHEs) are increasingly formally recognizing the competencies educators gain through experience in the field. This includes awarding college credits (often called “credit for prior learning”), granting state credentials/qualifications, or combining both approaches. This policy highlight describes five strategies states and IHEs are using (often in combination) to recognize…
Published 2026