WECA will be partnering with the Public Policy Forum in Milwaukee to conduct a statewide early childhood workforce study later this year. Later this year, we will distribute a survey to early education professionals across Wisconsin (Be on the lookout in your mailbox!) to examine provider wages, retention, education, benefits, and longevity. Target survey recipients will cover a broad spectrum of the workforce to include professionals at family child care programs (certified and licensed), child care centers, 4 year old kindergarten programs, and Head Start/Early Head Start facilities. Results will be made available to the public early next year.

The last time a comprehensive workforce study of this nature was conducted was in 2001. In the future, we hope to obtain information from professionals more frequently to keep workforce statistics current and relevant.