Early Childhood Educators in Hawai?i: Addressing Compensation, Working Conditions, and Professional Advancement

It is increasingly understood that a diverse, well-prepared, well-supported, and well-compensated workforce is essential for the delivery of high-quality early childhood programs serving children from birth to kindergarten entry. As Hawai?i has increased its investment in early care and education (ECE) programs, stakeholders have come to recognize that the state's investment in the ECE workforce has not kept pace with the resources going to the expansion of access to such programs.This report documents the low wages, few benefits, mixed working conditions, and lack of incentives for career advancement in place for the ECE workforce. The authors also provide long-term and short-term strategies for Hawai?i to invest in improvements that would help recruit and retain workers in the ECE field