“The Cracks Have Become Canyons”: Child Care Providers Experiences With Staffing Recruitment and Retention Efforts

• In Event: Equity and Policy in Education

Abstract

Despite potential benefits to society, investment in early care and education (ECE) remains inadequate to fulfill the demand and increase program quality. ECE has struggled to recruit and retain highly qualified educators because of the low compensation, low status and high demands of the work, leading to inequities in access and quality of child care programs. This qualitative study explores worker experiences using an anonymous questionnaire and in-depth follow up interviews to explore employee motivations to enter, exit, and remain in the workforce. Findings reveal that although workers enter the field for intrinsic reasons, such as love of the work and enjoyment of children, the stresses, high demands, and poor compensation motivate them to leave, offering policy and practical implications.

Authors

• Amy Wolfe, Ohio University - Chillicothe

• Tiffany Rowland, University of Toledo

• Jennifer Creque Blackburn, Blooming View Montessori School