NEWSLETTER

October 1, 2026

In our October newsletter, we’re sharing updates from across our work to strengthen the early childhood workforce, including highlights from the Worth More: Advancing ECE Compensation Summit in New Orleans, lessons from Louisiana’s efforts to advance early educator compensation, and upcoming opportunities to navigate emerging changes in higher education. Explore how partners are bringing people together, deepening learning, and moving our shared work forward.

Read the October newsletter and explore the latest updates here.

RESOURCE

September 21, 2026

As part of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE)’s collaborative work with the Early Educator Investment Collaborative on the Compensation Capacity-Building  Community of Practice (CoP), we’re continuing to highlight state-level lessons for advancing early educator compensation. Building the Conditions for Early Educator Compensation: Lessons From Louisiana explores how long-term investments in governance, infrastructure, local leadership, and cross-sector partnerships have helped Louisiana sustain early childhood priorities through periods of fiscal uncertainty. The case study also examines the ongoing challenges of sustaining compensation improvements and offers lessons on building the systems, financing, and local capacity needed for lasting progress.

Read the Louisiana Case Study here.

NEWSLETTER

August 18, 2026

In our August newsletter, we’re sharing updates from across our work to strengthen the early childhood workforce, including new insights on early educator compensation and working conditions, efforts to build public support through narrative change, and investments to support early childhood leaders. Explore how partners across our network are building knowledge, advancing shared priorities, and working together to create lasting change for the early educator workforce.

Read the August newsletter and explore the latest updates here.

NEWSLETTER

June 4, 2026

In our June newsletter, we’re sharing updates from across our work on the early childhood workforce, including a new organizing toolkit, reflections from a longtime field leader, and partner updates from across the country. Explore the new In Our Hands Organizing Toolkit, read retiring field leader Michael Burke’s reflections on why investing in the workforce remains one of philanthropy’s smartest bets, and catch up on innovative strategies and recent milestones from partners working to strengthen systems and support early educators nationwide.

Read the June newsletter and explore the latest resources here.

RESOURCE

June 2, 2026

The In Our Hands Organizing Toolkit, developed in partnership with Community Change and Childcare Changemakers, offers practical resources to help advocates, organizers, providers, and partners communicate more effectively about the childcare workforce and the need for public investment. Grounded in a year of message testing, messenger development, and organizing work, the toolkit includes winning messages, storytelling guidance, real-world examples, and tools designed to build public understanding and support for policies that strengthen care for families and fair compensation for providers.

Explore the toolkit and learn more about the In Our Hands campaign.

Insights

March 26, 2026

In her latest reflection, Dr. Ola J. Friday, Executive Director of the Early Educator Investment Collaborative, looks back on a decade of progress since the landmark TTransforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation report. She highlights advances in early educator compensation, preparation, and professional pathways, while emphasizing the importance of centering educator voice in shaping the systems that support them. As the field looks toward the next decade, Ola shares why meaningful educator input must remain central to philanthropy, policy, and efforts to strengthen the early childhood workforce.

Read Ola’s full reflection and explore the A Decade of Change series here.

RESOURCE

February 4, 2026

As part of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE)’s collaborative work on the Compensation Capacity-Building  Community of Practice (CoP), we are excited to continue highlighting state-level progress in ECE compensation. This case study explores how Minnesota has successfully sustained its workforce initiatives through cross-agency partnerships and persistent advocacy. This progress offers a powerful roadmap for maintaining momentum in a shifting fiscal landscape even after the sunset of federal pandemic relief funds.

Access the Minnesota Case Study here.

WEBINAR

January 15, 2026

Last fall, The Collaborative commissioned reflection papers and hosted webinars exploring the past decade in the early childhood education workforce since the release of Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation and its companion piece, Transforming the Financing of Early Care and Education.

We are excited to announce that the webinar recordings and full resource library are now available.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation on our LinkedIn.