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From: Tim Bete, Editor, ECN
Date: 23 May 1997
Time: 07:07:55
Remote Name: ww-td43.proxy.aol.com
State regulations for child care professionals vary greatly in the U.S.. Many states have strict teacher/child ratios and annual training requirements while others have none. Some studys indicate that the average child care provider quits his/her job after only eight months. Directors of child care centers, on the other hand, typically quit after two years and often leave the field altogether.
While much of this information is depressing, my experience is that there is a renewed emphasis on continuing education and this emphasis will raise the caliber of professionals in the field. On the other hand, I am doubtful that wages for ECEs will increase substantially without government funding. Child care is already a significant expense for most parents. It remains to be seen whether parents will be willing to pay more for the care of their children.
You may want to contact the following organizations for more information.
Natl. Ctr. for the Early Childhood Workforce (NCECWF) 202-737-7700 € Information on ECE wages.
The Children's Foundation 202-347-3300 € Information on ECE licensing standards in the U.S.