To recover, rebuild and thrive, our nation’s cities, towns and villages need powerful leaders that prioritize the well-being of all who make up the early childhood workforce. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our nation to produce innovative prevention measures and work toward ensuring that the early childhood system is reimagined in a way that all early childhood providers have the opportunity to both succeed and be supported throughout their professional journey. 

Sadly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, working parents struggled with child care closures and access to the very people they relied on to provide care for their children. This pandemic has brought some acknowledgement by local governments and business leaders that the early childhood workforce is crucial. However, the nearly 5 million formal professionals and countless informal providers that make up this workforce continue to be unseen, underpaid and undervalued.