Early Childhood Education: Annotated Bibliography

Fuller and Strath (2001) conducted a quantitative research study that examined local populations of early education organizations based on the 1990 household census data to report features of the early childhood workforce nationwide. Multiple economic and regulatory forces shaped the population of early education organizations that operated within states and local communities. The median center-based teacher was 34 years of age, reported having completed some college, and was married. The median family childcare home provider had a high school diploma. Fifteen percent of all preschool teachers in urban areas were African American and 8% were Latina. The researchers analyzed data from 1994 on basic indicators of the early education organizations within neighborhood conducted every four years that included all preschool and childcare organizations. The bureau reported raw counts childcare workers and estimated median values for a variety of economic and demographic attributes for every zip code nationwide. Statistical data were analyzed using

NAEYC argued for salaries and benefits to be linked to qualifications and responsibilities. In 1999, Child and Youth Care forum published a series of articles in a symposium on the professionalization of the early childhood care through developing a positive relationship between professional development and the status and salaries of the childcare staff. The need for improved child outcomes, quality programs, and teacher qualifications has continued to frame the discussion around professional status. The improved wages for childcare staff was still missing from major initiatives. Unless, childcare staff wages were included in all the initatives, the efforts to improve program quality and child outcomes would be very