The Early Learning PA (ELPA) coalition has published a new report detailing the state of early care and education in Pennsylvania. Titled Providing the Necessary Foundation for Young Children to Succeed, the report highlights the importance of accessible child care for families and offers policy suggestions to improve recruitment and retention in the child care workforce.
The ELPA coalition, which includes Pre-K for PA, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, and Start Strong PA, aims to ensure that all Pennsylvania children have access to high-quality early education and developmental opportunities. The report examines the complexities of the state’s child care and pre-k systems, advocating for equitable improvements that increase access and affordability for all families.
Key Findings
The report presents several significant findings:
71% of families with young children have all available caregivers in the workforce.
Pennsylvania loses approximately $6.65 billion annually due to inadequate child care access.
Only 25% of eligible infants and toddlers receive support from Child Care Works, leaving over 73,000 unserved.
Child care costs for infants average 17.5% of a median family’s income.
The average wage for child care workers is about $15.15 per hour.
Just 46% of child care providers meet high-quality standards; only 36% of those serving children under age 5 in Child Care Works are rated as high-quality.
Only 46% of eligible 3- and 4-year-olds participate in high-quality, publicly funded pre-k, leaving more than 78,000 without access.
Child care programs represent the largest share of Pre-K Counts providers, serving half of Pre-K Counts children in high-quality centers.
Pre-k teachers earn an average salary of $34,430, compared to $68,250 for kindergarten teachers.
96% of kindergarten teachers believe students who attend high-quality pre-k are better prepared for school.
Policy Recommendations
The report urges Pennsylvania policymakers to consider the following recommendations:
Create and fund a recruitment and retention model to strengthen the child care workforce.
Move away from market-rate surveys to cost estimation studies, ensuring accurate state funding for high-quality care.
Increase state and federal funding to serve more infants and toddlers in child care.
Boost state investments in Pre-K Counts and HSSAP programs.
Develop a pay parity policy for pre-k teachers to align their wages with K-12 teachers.
Require OCDEL to produce a report every three years on the early childhood workforce, offering insights and recommendations.
Expand high-quality provider options by enhancing incentives within the state’s Keystone STARS program.
Provide more professional development opportunities for the early care and education workforce.
Conduct an equity audit of the early care and education system to identify changes needed for equitable access for all children.
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