Broader, Deeper, Fairer - Five Strategies to Radically Expand the Talent Pool in Early Education

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia

A national education-focused report examining how early childhood workforce systems can widen access to high-quality learning by strengthening preparation pathways. It outlines five strategies to radically expand the talent pool, including redefining credentials, rethinking degree attainment, optimizing practice-based training, expanding job-embedded coaching, and additional workforce expansion approaches. The document acknowledges organizational partners, expert advisors, and participant interviewees who shaped recommendations, supported by philanthropic and editorial contributions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Early Childhood Workforce Preparation: Current Landscape and Key Challenges

Strategy 1: Redefine Credentials

Strategy 2: Rethink Degree Attainment

Strategy 3: Optimize Practice-Based Training

Strategy 4: Expand Job-Embedded Coaching

Strategy 5

January 2021 Broader, Deeper, Fairer: Five Strategies to Radically Expand the Talent Pool in Early Education Cody Kornack National Head Start Association Ashley LiBetti Bellwether Education Partners The National Head Start Association is a not-for-profit organization committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in school and in life. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier, empowered children and families, and stronger, more vibrant communities. NHSA is the voice for more than one million children, 270,000 staff, and 1,600 Head Start grantees in [the United States. Visit](the United States. Visit www.nhsa.org)[ ](the United States. Visit www.nhsa.org)[www.nhsa.org](the United States. Visit www.nhsa.org)and follow @NatlHeadStart for more information. The HeadStarter Network is a nonprofit organization created to provide a nimble, interdisciplinary, and forward-looking engine for driving innovation in early childhood development and education. We constantly seek to apply best practices and innovations from technology, business, and academia to shape new models of early childhood education. Bellwether Education Partners is a national nonprofit focused on dramatically changing education and life outcomes for underserved children. We do this by helping education organizations accelerate their impact and by working to improve policy and practice. Bellwether envisions a world in which race, ethnicity, and income no longer predict opportunities for students, and the American education system affords all individuals the ability to determine their own path and lead a productive and fulfilling life. We wish to express our thanks to the PNC Foundation for its ongoing support of innovation, creative thinking, and collaboration to advance the field of early childhood development and education through its signature philanthropic initiative, PNC Grow Up Great®. The PNC Foundation’s long standing support of interdisciplinary efforts, like the one that produced this report, help facilitate an exchange of knowledge among a diverse array of experts from both within and external to early childhood education. It is our fervent hope that the creative ideas and recommendations contained in this report will lead to meaningful change in practice that furthers our shared goal of advancing high quality early childhood education. Thankyou, PNC Foundation, foryour generous support. | | | --- | | | Editorial and Production Support Megan Hustad, editor Rachel Hutchison, project manager Caitlyn Maltese, designer Susannah Agi, designer Tommy Sheridan Tim Oppenheim Yasmina Vinci Acknowledgments A special thanks to the experts from across the country who contributed their time to informing this work. Specifically, a sincere thankyou to those who participated in the Early Childhood Workforce Catalyst, advised the creation of that event, and provided expert insights throughout this process. Early Childhood Workforce Catalyst Advisors Ashley Beckner, Imaginable Futures Ashley LiBetti, Bellwether Education Partners Bill Potapchuk, Community Building Institute Carol Brunson Day Gladys Haynes, Buffett Early Childhood Fund Isabelle Hau, Imaginable Futures Lenny Lind, Covision Design LLC Sharon Yandian, Office of Head Start Interviewees We are particularly grateful to the following people whose insights and expertise informed the recommendations in this paper. Gail Joseph, EarlyEdU Alliance (Rethink Degree Attainment) Dr. Calvin Moore, Jr., Council for Professional Recognition (Redefine Credentials) Pamm Shaw, YMCA of East Bay (Optimizing Practice-Based Training) Randi Wolfe, Tikkun Consulting (Optimizing Practice-Based Training) Early Childhood Workforce Catalyst Participants Amanda Atkinson, Public Health Management Corporation Angel Royal, American Association of Community Colleges Binal Patel, Neighborhood Villages Brenda

FAQs

What is the report’s main focus in early education?

The report focuses on expanding the early childhood workforce talent pool so more children can access high-quality learning opportunities.

What kinds of strategies does the report propose?

It proposes five strategies spanning credential redesign, degree attainment changes, practice-based training improvements, and job-embedded coaching expansion, among other workforce preparation enhancements.

Who contributed to shaping the report’s recommendations?

The report includes contributions from editorial and production support, acknowledgments to partners such as the PNC Foundation, and insights from early childhood workforce catalyst advisors and interviewees.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia