On April 9th, Child Care Associates, Inc. (CCA) recently presented a deep dive into the DFW Regional Child Care Workforce Study at a meeting of the Women's Policy Forum . The presentation sparked a critical conversation about the future of early education across the metroplex, positioning CCA to lead a regional effort addressing child care compensation for early educators and the growing accessibility challenges created by understaffed programs.
Insights from the Experts
The program featured a panel of leaders from Child Care Associates who are at the forefront of designing regional solutions:
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Dr. Melodi Faris, Executive Director of the Center for Early Education, provided context on the North Texas child population—which is greater than the child population in 38 states—and the comprehensive picture of the ECE workforce .
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Catherine Davis, Policy Director, discussed the legislative and systemic shifts needed to support educator compensation .
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Shawneequa Blount, Director of Childcare Innovation, highlighted creative strategies to move the issue from the margins to the mainstream by recognizing child care as a workforce and economic development priority .
The Economic Reality in Tarrant County
The findings of the study underscore that child care is not just a family issue; it is a foundational economic driver. Currently, the landscape reveals significant challenges for the region:
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Workforce Shortage: There are approximately 10,000 early educators missing from the North Texas workforce, with about 2,065 needed in Tarrant County alone .
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Compensation Gap: The average hourly wage for a child care educator in Tarrant County is $16.25, resulting in an annual salary of $33,801—which is $16,000 less than the local living wage of $49,629 .
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High Turnover: Child care centers in North Texas face a staggering 52% annual turnover rate .
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Vacant Capacity: Due to staffing shortages, 32% of child care seats in Tarrant County currently remain vacant, even as families struggle to find care .
The Economic Ripple Effect
When parents cannot access reliable, affordable child care, the entire community feels the impact:
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Impact on Families: Child care consumes roughly 12% of annual household income in Tarrant County . These challenges disproportionately affect women, with 7% of Texas parents having voluntarily left their jobs and 37% reporting that someone in their household changed or declined a job due to child care issues .
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Impact on Business: Reliable child care is a prerequisite for a stable economy. Without it, businesses experience higher absenteeism, lower retention, and reduced productivity.
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Financial Loss: It is estimated that Tarrant County loses between $450M and $650M annually due to child care challenges, including up to $126M in lost tax revenue and $530M in lost employer productivity costs .
Leading the Path Forward
By spearheading this regional effort, CCA aims to bridge the gap between the needs of early educators and the demands of a growing workforce. Addressing compensation is the first step in ensuring that high-quality, reliable child care is accessible to all families, allowing the local economy to thrive.
How You Can Get Involved
This blog encourages readers to elevate the conversation by recognizing child care as essential workforce infrastructure. For those who want to take a more active role in advocating for early educators and working families, please visit Early Ed Canary. This platform provides resources and opportunities for community members to use their voices to support the regional development of data-driven strategies for child care.
Meeting Assets
