Jacksonville, FL’s approach to supporting the early childhood workforce has evolved through decades of strategic development, partnership building and quality improvement initiatives. What began as a recognition of the critical role the early childhood workforce plays in children’s development has grown into a comprehensive system of supports, standards and professional development opportunities. The city’s journey reflects a deep understanding that investing in this critical workforce directly impacts educational outcomes for children and the overall health of the community.
The history of the City of Jacksonville’s workforce quality initiatives can be traced back to the city’s early focus on quality standards. Leaders recognized that they needed a common definition for quality in early childhood settings, which led to citywide conversations about how to develop an effective Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Over time, this initial program morphed into the more comprehensive Guiding Stars quality rating system that continues today.
Throughout this evolution, the City of Jacksonville has maintained a balanced focus on both improving educational practices and strengthening the business capacity of early childhood providers. The city recognized that significant investment in certification, education and economic mobility was needed to create sustainable careers in the field. This dual focus has shaped the City of Jacksonville’s approach to workforce development, creating pathways for professional growth while also addressing the practical business challenges that providers face.
The City of Jacksonville’s philosophy of holistic provider engagement is evident in its workforce support initiatives. The city meets providers where they are, building strong relationships with directors and teachers through responsive programming and consistent support. Coaching plays a central role in this approach, with the Kids Hope Alliance providing critical individual coaching to center directors and providers. This relationship-centered approach has allowed the City of Jacksonville to create programs that respond to real needs while building capacity throughout the early childhood system, viewing providers through a strengths-based lens that recognizes their potential and value to the community.
“It’s our goal to be the small business capital of the Southeast. And if we can help child care providers with training and accreditation, that’s extraordinary help to them both as small businesses, and to our small business community.”– Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan
Here’s What They Did
- The City of Jacksonville’s partnership with Jacksonville Small and Emerging Businesses (JSEB) demonstrates the city’s innovative approach to building business capacity among providers. Through this program, cohorts of early childhood business owners learn essential skills needed to effectively manage their centers, including QuickBooks and other financial management tools. The program offers providers comprehensive support in becoming certified small businesses, opening doors to multiple opportunities, such as access to the resources of the Jax Chamber. Additionally, the City of Jacksonville supports coaching and training programs, such as those offered by the Lastinger Center for Learning at the University of Florida, to improve teacher performance. These programs provide certification and coaching designed to help teachers become more effective in their classrooms by enhancing their teaching practices. This dual focus on business skills and teaching practices creates more sustainable programs with higher quality instruction.
- The Duval Early Learning Director’s Network (DELDN) exemplifies the City of Jacksonville’s commitment to peer learning and professional community building. This network brings together early childhood directors and providers regularly to discuss common challenges, share best practices and develop collaborative solutions. By creating a dedicated space for leaders to connect and learn from each other, the City of Jacksonville has fostered a professional community that extends beyond individual centers or programs. The network has become a valuable forum for disseminating information, gathering feedback on city initiatives and identifying emerging needs in the field. This peer-to-peer approach acknowledges the expertise within the community and leverages it to strengthen the entire early childhood system, creating a sustainable model for professional growth and problem-solving.
Your Next Steps for Getting Started
- Conduct a landscape analysis of your early childhood workforce, including who they are and where they work, their qualifications, compensation and professional development needs. Understanding the current state of your workforce provides the foundation for targeted interventions.
- Identify community partners that can offer specialized training in both educational and business management practices. This balanced expertise supports the dual nature of early childhood programs as both educational services and businesses.
- Identify and convene stakeholders to learn more about what is currently available and where there is need. Develop a common definition of quality for early childhood programs. Having shared standards creates a foundation for improvement efforts across your community.
- Establish multiple pathways for professional development that accommodate diverse needs and circumstances. Offer a variety of formats, schedules and content areas to ensure accessibility for all of the workforce.
- Build partnerships across agencies to create a coordinated system of workforce support. Establish formal coordination mechanisms to reduce duplication and fill gaps in services.
Helpful Tips for Ongoing Success
- Create cohort-based learning opportunities that build both skills and professional networks. Learning alongside peers creates community and support that extends beyond formal training periods.
- Leverage coaching models to provide individualized support that translates learning into practice. Pair formal training with follow-up coaching to ensure new skills are implemented effectively.
- Address compensation issues through creative funding mechanisms and quality incentives. Explore multiple strategies to improve wages while maintaining program affordability for families.
- Develop a quality rating system that includes clear standards and financial incentives for improvement. Connecting quality improvement to tangible benefits motivates participation and makes improvement financially sustainable.
- Adopt strength-based language and approaches when working with early childhood providers and the children they serve. Positive framing creates motivation and dignity while setting higher expectations for achievement.
Explore the ‘Decades in the Making’ Early Childhood Toolkit
What happens when a local government chooses to prioritize young children, their families and the early childhood workforce for years at a time That’s the question this new toolkit answers. Explore it to get practical insights and clear next steps to begin implementing proving policy wins in your community.
About the Authors
Decades in the Making: How Four Cities Are Creating Lasting Early Childhood Impact
Prenatal-to-Three Impact Lab
Understanding City Hall’s Role in Maternal Mental Health
- Lara Burt
How a Federal Funding Freeze Impacts Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs
- Brandis Stockman
- Stephanie Martinez-Ruckman
How Connecting Children to Nature Can Help Small Cities Achieve Their Goals
- Andrew Moore
- Vera Feeny
How City Leaders Can Support the Mental Health of LGBTQIA+ Teens
- Sarah Weller-Pegna, MPH