Teaching the Teachers: Early Childhood Education Programs Aim to Fill Shortages, Meet Growing Demand

ABSTRACT

Community college early childhood education programs prepare students for a career path that enjoys plenty of demand, although that's at least in part due to low wages that make hiring and retaining good workers a challenge. That challenge has become more acute during the COVID-19 pandemic, given the literally hands-on nature of the work. Demand for early childhood education programs likely would spike if President Biden's Build Back Better plan passes Congress, given that it includes money for universal preschool. Administrators and faculty of community college early childhood education programs say they're paying close attention to what's happening in Washington as well as their own states as they try to recruit students, upgrade training to deal with challenges like COVID-19 and meet the demand in their respective areas.