$15 Million Allocated for Recruiting and Training Preschool Teachers, Caregivers

To address the growing shortage of qualified early care and education professionals, First 5 LA has committed $15 million to a new initiative to train, mentor, and recruit caregivers and teachers.

"This investment in workforce development represents a major first step in ensuring we have an adequate supply of qualified caregivers and teachers who can give our children the early learning boost they need to succeed in school and in life," said LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina, First 5 LA chair.

Research shows there is a shortfall of more than 3,000 child care spaces in LA County due to a shortage of teachers and facilities. At a time when more than half of children five years and under have parents who work outside the home, there is a need for recruitment and training of new teachers, as one in five preschool teachers is now over 50 years old.

There is a growing call for a bachelor's degree as a minimum qualification for early care and education professionals. Currently, only 32 percent of early education teachers have an AA or higher degree and only 6 percent of assistant teachers have such qualifications.

Major factors in the shortage of early care and education workforce are low compensation, lack of benefits, and the resulting high turnover rate. An LA County-wide survey in 2002 shows the salary range of  preschool teachers at $16,450 -$25,078 annually, compared to kindergarten and elementary school teachers, whose average salary is $44,110-$47,450 annually.