High turnover and low wages are just the beginning

Louisville, Ky. (July 16, 2024) – Metro United Way and partners gathered data directly from child care providers to compile a detailed new report meant to inform policy decisions and help design strategic supports for early care and education in Louisville.

The Louisville Early Learning Workforce Study includes data points such as child care capacity and quality, services offered, workforce demographics, wages and benefits, education and experience levels, turnover and retention, and more.

Metro United Way worked with Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C) and research staff at the Child Care Services Association (CCSA) on the report. As the most complete data compiled on the topic to date in Louisville, the point-in-time study highlights the challenges facing the sector.

Louisville’s early child care ecosystem currently serves just over 19,500 children in licensed care. That represents approximately 37% of the total number of children under age 6 in the area.

Key points from the report include:

• 30% of early learning teaching staff and 30% of family child care providers have a total family income of less than $30,000
• 11% of teachers and 13% of assistant teachers, working full-time, said they must work another job to make ends meet
• 47% of teachers left their center in the past year
• 22% of teachers said they “probably will not” or “definitely will not” be in the field in three years

The 37-page study concludes with detailed recommendations for policymakers and the community.

“This workforce study highlights the unacceptable financial reality of educators in our early childhood community,” said Cori Gadansky, Executive Director of Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C). “We must do better to support the people who care for our youngest children so their families can go to work and school.”

Data from the report is consistent with what Louisville’s early childhood experts have been saying for some time – the sector is in crisis and needs immediate support to remain viable as “the workforce behind the workforce.” Additionally, research from the Federal Reserve suggests the findings of this local study reflect national workforce trends and a nationwide problem that continues to weigh down the economy.

Beyond the economic implications, early care and education is key to children’s development and future success. Part of the support that child care providers need is more training for employees to maintain and improve the quality of care.

“The first years of a child’s life are the most vital for brain development,” explained Adria Johnson, President and CEO of Metro United Way. “Quality child care is pivotal in helping kids learn, grow, and thrive. Without increased funding and support, the foundation of our community’s future is weaker.”

Read the report for more information, including clear recommendations for action.

The Louisville Early Learning Workforce Study was funded by a federal American Rescue Plan grant allocated to Metro United Way by Louisville Metro Government.

ABOUT METRO UNITED WAY

For more than 100 years, Metro United Way has been improving lives and our community, which includes Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, and Harrison counties in Indiana. We are uniquely positioned to harness the power of donors, volunteers, thought leaders, experts, other nonprofits, and government at all levels to ensure positive, sustainable change for every person in our seven-county region. Now more than ever, we are focused on three priorities: thriving kids, strong households, and an equitable community. Change begins today! Learn more at metrounitedway.org.