Competitive and fair compensation means that the wages and benefits for the ECE workforce reflect their professional skills and expertise. Additionally, wages and benefits should enable early educators to provide and save for themselves and their families. This can include clear wage scales that support consistent pay comparable to educators in the K-12 system and protections for essential supports and benefits. As wage scales are being developed and transitioned to, changes should not result in lost supports for early educators. Pick one of the primary driver types (below) to learn more about the concrete actions (i.e., secondary drivers) that support competitive and fair compensation, or pick a different aim (above) to explore.
Policy‑Specific Promising Practices
Educators have access to financial relief (child care assistance, hiring/retention bonuses, tax credits) in the interim.
Learn MoreA wage scale ensures competitive compensation with K‑3 based on roles, qualifications, and experience.
Learn MoreA benefit model ensures parity with K‑3 (health insurance, retirement, loan forgiveness, tax credits).
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Targeted & Aligned Policies
A wage scale is linked to educational attainment (qualifications, degrees, certifications, years of experience).
Learn MorePolicies are designed to prevent benefit cliffs caused wage increases.
Learn MoreData-focused policies support effective data collection, data sharing and use, and individual privacy.
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Data-Driven Decision Making
Compensation initiatives are monitored, and they are informed and refined by progress and impact data.
Learn MoreCompensation data are shared and reviewed to assess the current state.
Learn MoreData on funding for compensation is regularly collected and analyzed to ensure sustained funding.
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Additional Resources
Introduction to the ECE Workforce Systems Change Framework
This brief describes the National Early Care & Education (ECE) Workforce Center’s aims for improving conditions for the ECE workforce and explains how the ECE Workforce Systems Change Framework supports state and local leaders to achieve the aims.
The ECE Workforce Systems Change Framework: Reflection Tool
The ECE Workforce Systems Change Framework: Reflection Tool is a practical resource designed to help leaders put the Change Framework into action.
Data-driven Decision Making in Systems Change for the ECE Workforce
Early care and education (ECE) leaders can use data to strengthen their efforts and achieve lasting change for the ECE workforce.
Multi-Sector & Multi-Partner Collaboration in Systems Change for the ECE Workforce
This research-to-practice brief discusses the importance of grounding ECE workforce systems change in collaborative efforts between agencies, sectors, and programs at multiple levels.
Driving Systems Change in the ECE Workforce via Early Educator Engagement and Leadership
Systems change requires authentic educator engagement and leadership, which ensures that educators have meaningful influence and decision-making power.