Last month, federal aid for early childhood educators, put in place during the pandemic, expired. Wyoming lawmakers failed to pass a bill this year that could have provided support. Some advocates believe offering a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education may help address these challenges.
According to the 2024 Early Childhood Workforce Index, the median wage for early childhood educators in Wyoming was just $10.60 per hour in 2022. This figure is 28% below the living wage of $14.70.
Nikki Baldwin, director of the Wyoming Early Childhood Outreach Network at the University of Wyoming, noted that child care programs in the state are closing frequently. “We hear about them almost weekly, and it can be really devastating for Wyoming families,” Baldwin said.
The report recommends increasing public funding for early childhood education. Currently, the U.S. invests only $4,000 per child per year, while other wealthy nations invest about $14,000.
Baldwin mentioned that the University of Wyoming is working on a new bachelor’s degree program in early childhood education. In Wyoming, only a high school diploma is required for child care program owners and directors. The new program will be available both in-person and online, making it more accessible for rural educators.
“They’re very motivated to keep learning,” Baldwin stated. “Even though their pay isn’t linked to their education, they still want to improve every day.”
The new degree program is expected to launch in 2026.
Anna Powell, a senior research and policy associate at the Berkeley Center for the Study of Childcare Employment, highlighted the significance of the federal aid that ended in September. “It’s time for states and localities to step up and find ways to support early care and education workers,” Powell asserted.
This spring, the Wyoming Joint Education Committee sponsored a bill to allow low-income families to use state funds for early childhood expenses. However, the Wyoming Education Savings Accounts Act was passed instead, which does not include support for child care or preschool.
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