Massachusetts child care has a workforce problem
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Child care workers in Massachusetts continue to struggle despite the state's reforms in recent years, with many working multiple jobs to make ends meet or leaving the industry altogether, per a new report.
Why it matters: The wide-ranging reforms to Massachusetts child care will go only so far without enough workers to watch over the children.
Zoom in: In the report, released Tuesday, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation outlined the state's improvements to child care financial assistance.
- They range from reducing paperwork requirements for single and self-employed parents, to incentivizing providers to reserve seats for families receiving state child care assistance, to the Legislature's permanently funding the C3 program.
Yes, but: The sector continues to struggle with hiring and retaining workers, which will only get worse as the pipeline shrinks.
- Child care providers are struggling to attract workers to a field with low pay and few opportunities for growth, per the report.
What they're saying: "If you don't have the supported workforce, you're not going to be able to provide the level of child care you need for your economy in the immediate term," Doug Howgate, MTF president, tells Axios.
- The sector will struggle, whether it comes to expanding access or improving quality, without enough workers.
By the numbers: The median salary for workers in child care centers was $43,000 this spring, per the MTF.
- A K-12 teacher's salary in Massachusetts was twice as much in 2021, per a state report cited by the MTF.
Those who leave child care have gone on to work as elementary or middle school teachers, teacher's assistants, nurses, home health aides, or even cashiers, the MTF wrote, citing a recent Rappaport Institute report.
- Nearly all of those jobs have had faster wage growth than child care jobs.
What's next: The MTF recommended the state look into early education compensation, the existing talent pipeline, and opportunities for career advancement.
- The foundation also highlighted the need for support for child care center owners, including more business planning and administration training.