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2023 North Carolina Child Care Workforce Study
Covering every county in the state, the Working in Early Care and Education in North Carolina: 2023 Workforce Study delves into the state of early childhood education in North Carolina through surveys, interviews and focus groups with administrators, teachers, assistant teachers and family child care (FCC) providers serving children under 5 in licensed programs.
This year’s study is particularly significant as it marks the first time Early Years (formerly Child Care Services Association/CCSA) has incorporated a qualitative research component, offering a platform for teachers, assistant teachers, directors and FCC providers to share their personal experiences and recommendations. The timing of this study also highlights the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the early care and education sector. Through the voices of North Carolina’s child care educators, the study provides crucial insights into how the sector can rebound and grow stronger in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Our Work
For more than 30 years, Early Years has conducted statewide surveys of the early care and education workforce in North Carolina. Our longstanding leadership in this field has provided invaluable insights into the landscape of child care, helping communities understand current conditions and trends over time and helping define a road map to growth.
Funding Partners
The quantitative data collection for the 2023 Workforce Study was supported by funding from the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). Funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation provided the opportunity to hear directly from the provider community through qualitative data obtained during focus groups and interviews.
We would also like to deeply thank all participants, who worked tirelessly and thanklessly through the pandemic, dedicating their work to the well-being of young children and their families. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and share your experiences and suggestions to strengthen the field of early care and learning.
Frédérique Yova, Ph.D., oversaw data collection, analysis and report writing for this study under the supervision of Mary Martin. Significant contributions were made by Zycoria McRae-Adams, Sabrina Mohammed and Robert Stone-El. Special thanks to Kaitlynn Brown, Sydney Schlidnecht and the temporary research team for their work on data collection.
