New Report Reveals that Wisconsin’s ECE Sector is Not OK

This February, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) released a concerning report detailing the current state of the early childhood education (ECE) sector - both nationally and in the state of Wisconsin. The report, titled “We are NOT OK,” shines a light on the difficult situation in which ECE programs find themselves as federal investments expire.

Particularly, survey respondents highlighted rising program costs, increased staff burnout and turnover, stubbornly low wages for staff, and increased tuition for families who are already struggling to afford child care.

“The result of these challenges,” reads the report. “is a reduced supply of high-quality care that everyone in our society—from families, to businesses, to communities—relies on to be successful.”

“I’m one more rate increase away from closing my doors,” shared one Wisconsin ECE director/administrator. “I can barely afford the 40% increases to goods, insurance, taxes, water, heat, electric to stay open. I have no way to recover that money.”

From their survey of over 700 providers across the Wisconsin, NAEYC found that:

• 34% of providers report that their economic positions have worsened in the past year

• 41% of providers are currently experiencing a staffing shortage

• 43% of Wisconsin providers are more burned out than this time last year

• 50% of ECE directors and owner/operators were forced to raise their tuition

These numbers stand out as stark reminders that sustained support and investment into ECE are crucial. Without them, we will continue to lose educators, slots and ECE programs, straining families and communities across the state.