Compensation Initiatives

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Compensation Equity Study – Context of the Study

Research has shown that a diverse well-prepared, well-supported, and well-compensated early care and education (ECE) workforce is the linchpin to positive outcomes for young children. However, wages, benefits, working conditions for early educators serving children, from birth through kindergarten entry age, are not commensurate with the qualifications needed to provide high-quality early care and education. Therefore, recruitment and retention of the workforce has been challenging and this has been exacerbated by the covid pandemic.

ECE Landscape and Roadmap

To address this, the ECE³ Project commissioned RAND Corporation, a non-profit research organization, to conduct a study of the current landscape of ECE workforce wages, benefits, working conditions, recruitment and turnover issues in the state of Hawai’i. The study’s findings were based on existing and new data collected through interviews, focus groups, an online survey, and case studies. 

Along with the study’s findings, the final report by RAND identified policy and financing options and a high-level roadmap on how to advance these options in Hawaiʻi.

The funders of this study and final Report by RAND are Early Educator Investment Collaborative (EEIC), Samuel N & Mary Castle Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, and Hawaiʻi Community Foundation – Kōaniani Fund.

Link Between Research, Policy, and Practice

The RAND final report is one of the foundational steps to achieve the ECE³ Project’s mission. Using the final report as the basis, an ECE³ Compensation Task Force will develop a detailed action plan on how to improve wages, benefits, working conditions for early childhood educators serving children, birth through kindergarten entry age, in Hawaiʻi.

Compensation Action Plan

Shortly after the release of the RAND compensation equity study and roadmap, the ECE3 Project convened an Early Childhood Educator Compensation Design Team to establish a process for developing a more detailed plan for Hawaiʻi using a multi-sector, multi-partner approach. The Design Team includes representatives from EOEL, DHS, Head Start, City and County of Honolulu, Kauaʻi County, PATCH, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Kamehameha Schools, Early Childhood Action Strategy, HCYC, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network, and Hawaiʻi Association for the Education of Young Children.

In developing this plan, the Design Team considered key implementation steps, such as incorporating lessons learned locally and from other states, and piloting initiatives on a smaller scale that could be evaluated and later expanded statewide. The three primary workforce strategies included in the plan are:

1. Pilot and/or expand initiatives to increase funding to private ECE providers to support improved workforce compensation;
2. Realign subsidy as an existing inadvertent funding mechanism to better support workforce compensation;
3. Collect data and develop information infrastructure to inform workforce policy and program implementation.

Each of these strategies includes more specific objectives and activities—some currently in the planning phase, while others have already made significant progress toward implementation.

Salary Scale for Hawaiʻi’s ECE Workforce

The ECE3 Project partnered with Center for Early Learning Funding Equity (CELFE) to develop a model salary scale for the ECE workforce. Other states have shown that implementing a salary scale is vital to ensuring equitable pay. Through CELFE’s training, Hawaiʻi gained the tools to use and update the scale effectively.

This project had three key components:

• Develop a salary scale for the ECE workforce
• Create communication materials to support the public release of the scale and connect it to policy initiatives that could improve compensation
• Provide training for stakeholders on how to use the scale in policy design and implementation, and how to keep the scale current because the scale is meant to be dynamic, taking into account various factors such as the minimum wage

Hawaiʻi’s ECE workforce is the backbone of our economy and our children’s futures. A statewide salary scale is the first step toward a professional, equitably paid workforce that meets families’ needs.

Related Articles:

EEIC Newsletter – Grantee Spotlight: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

In 2021, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa received an IHE partnership grant to build the capacity of Hawaiʻi’s ECE teacher preparation and career pathways through its Early Childhood Educator Excellence and Equity (ECE³) Project. With grant funding from The Collaborative, the ECE³ Project commissioned the RAND Corporation to conduct a landscape study of ECE workforce wages and working conditions in Hawaiʻi and identify promising strategies for improving recruitment and retention of a highly-qualified ECE workforce. The recently released report, “Early Childhood Educators in Hawaiʻi: Addressing Compensation, Working Conditions, and Professional Advancement”, analyzes existing and new data collected through interviews, focus groups, an online survey, and case studies. Read this newsletter and join the EEIC mailing list here.

Hawaii Business Magazine: October 2022 issue “Child Care is a Labor of Love,” by Noelle Jujii-Oride

Ever heard “Childcare is a labor of love”? This translates to “Childcare doesn’t pay a living wage”, but raising those wages would squeeze tens of thousands of working Hawai’i families dependent on child care. University of Hawaii Manoa’s ECE³ Alliance has teamed up with RAND to gather and report data on compensation equity in Hawai’i. Hawaii Business Magazine has written an article using data from the upcoming report to explain the problem and possible solutions for this dilemma.

Hawaii Business Magazine: September 2022 issue “Why We Shined a Light on Hawai‘i’s Child Care Providers” by Noelle Jujii-Oride

“We sought to document in words and pictures the lives of five women who provide care for keiki, plus investigate what’s being done to better support Hawai‘i’s child care workforce.”

Hawaii Business Magazine: September 2022 issue “It’s Always Different: 5 Child Care Providers Share Their Challenges and Joys” by Noelle Jujii-Oride

Read about how 5 Childcare providers take care of their many children on a daily basis, their struggles, and what keeps them going.