Chicago is experiencing an early childhood workforce crisis.
The pandemic has made the existing research even clearer: high-quality early childhood education that begins with qualified teachers is good for children, families, and the economy.
In Chicago, we desperately need a larger, more qualified early childhood workforce. By 2024, we estimate needing 3,000 new educators and upskilling another 1,000 existing educators whose current roles now have higher degree requirements.
We are a group of 19 early childhood employers seeking to increase compensation for early childhood educators by advocating for pay parity with CPS, create better pathways for existing high-quality teachers to meet degree requirements by partnering with local higher education institutions, and generating a new pipeline of early childhood educators. Our collective responsibility is broad- it includes educators who work with newborns through age five in diverse settings (Community Based centers, Chicago Public Schools, home visiting and family childcare) across Chicago.
Today, about 20 Early Childhood employer meet monthly to make progress on their 2021 Action Agenda that includes increasing compensation for early childhood educators by advocating for pay parity with CPS, creating better pathways for existing high-quality teachers to meet degree requirements by partnering with local higher education institutions, and generating a new pipeline of early childhood educators.
View the 2021 Action Agenda here.
CONTACT: Christina Krasov | christinakrasov@gmail.com