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Valuable Work, Minimal Rewards: A Report on the Wisconsin Child Care Work Force.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Valuable Work, Minimal Rewards: A Report on the Wisconsin Child Care Work Force.
Language: English
Authors: Burton, Alice, Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Madison., National Center for the Early Childhood Work Force, Washington, DC.
Availability: National Center for the Early Childhood Work Force, 733 15th Street, N.W., Suite 1037, Washington, DC 20005 ($15, plus $3.75 shipping and handling).
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 70
Publication Date: 1994
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Administrators, Child Caregivers, Comparable Worth, Compensation (Remuneration), Day Care, Day Care Centers, Early Childhood Education, Family Day Care, Fringe Benefits, Health Insurance, Preschool Teachers, Public Policy, State Surveys, Teacher Salaries, Teaching (Occupation)
Geographic Terms: Wisconsin
Abstract: A 1994 state-wide survey examined the status of child care profession in Wisconsin. Surveyed were 326 family child care providers, 104 child care center directors, and 254 center teaching staff. Responses indicated that child care teaching staff have experienced a wage increase of just over 1 percent per year since 1988, and continue to earn low wages compared to other members of the work force, despite their relatively high level of education. Most centers offer limited health insurance or none at all and have high staff turnover, according to the survey. The survey also found that although family child care providers have experienced a 23 percent increase in earnings since 1988, they still earn low wages compared to other members of the work force. Finally, the survey found that most center directors do not receive fully-paid health insurance, and that their salaries are lower than administrators in other human services occupations. Most directors ranked improving teaching staff compensation as their top priority. Based on the survey, recommendations to improve the quality and availability of child care in Wisconsin include block grants, tax credits, and parental leave. (MDM)
Entry Date: 1996
Accession Number: ED389462
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:A 1994 state-wide survey examined the status of child care profession in Wisconsin. Surveyed were 326 family child care providers, 104 child care center directors, and 254 center teaching staff. Responses indicated that child care teaching staff have experienced a wage increase of just over 1 percent per year since 1988, and continue to earn low wages compared to other members of the work force, despite their relatively high level of education. Most centers offer limited health insurance or none at all and have high staff turnover, according to the survey. The survey also found that although family child care providers have experienced a 23 percent increase in earnings since 1988, they still earn low wages compared to other members of the work force. Finally, the survey found that most center directors do not receive fully-paid health insurance, and that their salaries are lower than administrators in other human services occupations. Most directors ranked improving teaching staff compensation as their top priority. Based on the survey, recommendations to improve the quality and availability of child care in Wisconsin include block grants, tax credits, and parental leave. (MDM)