Compensation and More: Economics and Professionalism in Early Care and Education

Abstract

Efforts toward achieving professional status for early care and education (ECE) are linked to economic and finance issues. The work to develop to the level of a full profession appears to parallel the development of nursing and elementary education. These professions share a history with ECE of being considered reproductive work performed in the home primarily not for pay. Development to the level of a full profession includes work on the understanding of the ECE knowledge base, an understanding of services and service markets, an understanding of finance and compensation issues, and the development of professional organizations and processes such as credentialing and accreditation. Research on economic and finance issues has supported efforts to professionalize the ECE field. As early care and education develops as a profession, continued research and analysis on a state and national level will provide critical knowledge about economic and finance issues. Insights into economic and finance functions in the market are useful in the development of the profession.