There are more than 6,500 early childhood educators working in Vermont in non-public child care programs regulated by the state’s Child Development Division. These educators serve the vast majority of Vermont children in child care. Unfortunately, the state does not have a system of individual regulation that supports aligned qualifications and accountability for these educators. This gap in the system also leads to a lack of clarity around what individuals are qualified to do, and what career pathways are available to early childhood educators in non-public school programs. Individual licensure protects the public, supports children, and strengthens the early childhood education workforce. An early childhood education license to practice will result in clear career pathways for the current and future workforce, increased transparency for families, and consistency of a well-prepared workforce.

The Alliance supports the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) in their efforts to pass the ECE Profession Bill, which creates individual licensure to practice for early childhood educators outside the Agency of Education system of licensure. The bill includes a base General Fund appropriation of $1.4 million to the state’s Office of Professional Regulation to be used to support the licensure of early childhood educators.

Lead Organization: The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC)

Data and Talking Points

• There are more than 6,500 early childhood educators working in non-public child care settings across the state