An examination of childcare teachers in for‐profit and non‐profit childcare centers

Abstract

Abstract Perceptions of childcare teachers in for‐profit and non‐profit centers were examined. Previous research indicates that childcare teachers earn consistently low wages, have little employee benefits and are dissatisfied with their work environments. This study further explores the employment issues and work environments that childcare teachers encounter. Questionnaires were distributed throughout a southeast state in the United States to 558 childcare teachers from for‐profit and non‐profit centers. Although there were significant differences with regard to age, hourly income and number of hours worked, overall it appears as though for‐profit and non‐profit childcare teachers represent a rather homogeneous population with regard to the working environments and employee issues. Keywords: Childcare centersTeachersFor‐profitNon‐profit Acknowledgements The study that provides the background for this manuscript was primarily supported by the Children’s Forum, Tallahassee, Florida. The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to the childcare center teachers in Florida who were kind enough to share their experiences.