Early Educators' Reflections on the DC Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. Research Report

Early childhood educators play an essential role in providing child care for families and learning and development supports for young children, yet they have long faced challenges due to low wages. Recognizing this, the District of Columbia (DC) introduced the Early Childhood Pay Equity Fund in 2022. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to bridge the pay gap between early educators and teachers at public schools, addressing historical inequities and improving recruitment and retention efforts. This report provides an in-depth exploration of early educators' experiences with the Pay Equity Fund during its initial year of implementation. Drawing on data from surveys conducted in May 2023 and follow-up focus groups, the report offers insights into the transition from direct payments to an opt-in payment structure by employers in FY 2024. It covers educators' introduction to the Fund, their application and payment experiences, financial impacts, and perceived benefits for child care programs and the broader early childhood education field.