Today’s post is about Goal 4 of Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan 2030: All Children Are Supported by a Well-Prepared, Well-Supported Early Childhood Workforce.
You can find our previous posts about the Goals in the Strategic Plan here:
- Goal 1: The Importance of Food, Housing, and Other Basic Needs in the Strategic Plan
- Goal 2: The Importance of Family, Community, and Environment in the Strategic Plan
- Goal 3: The Importance of Opportunity and Access in the Strategic Plan
Where this work started for me
I entered the education profession with a degree and teaching license in elementary education, but my path eventually led me to a position in an early care and education program at Robin’s Nest in Burlington’s Old North End. I was fortunate to be mentored by LouAnn Beninati and Jackie Palmer and surrounded by talented, driven, and deeply committed teammates. We built strong, communicative relationships with families and worked together to create an environment where children could thrive. The work was intellectually demanding, physically exhausting, and emotionally consuming at times—but it was also energizing, meaningful, and deeply rewarding.
What made that environment so powerful was that the people doing the work were valued. Robin’s Nest invested in teachers and caregivers through competitive wages, health benefits that were rare in the field, support for training, and a strong sense of community. That support mattered. It allowed me to attend conferences, participate in evening training, build my own library of books on child development and curriculum, and continue my education. With the help of Robin’s Nest, grants, and every extra dollar I could spare, I earned the credits needed to add an early childhood endorsement to my teaching license.
I stayed at Robin’s Nest for nearly 18 years, serving in many roles along the way: teaching infants, preschoolers, and the kindergarten extended day program before eventually becoming the center director. In that leadership role, I understood that my most important responsibility was to carry forward a culture that uplifted people. I saw firsthand that programs flourish when teachers and caregivers are supported, families are true partners, and educators are treated as professionals.
When I left Robin’s Nest, I wanted to help strengthen the entire early childhood system. I wanted to bring forward what I had learned firsthand: that quality early childhood programs are built on the well-being, stability, and professionalism of the people who make that quality possible every single day. If we want children and families to thrive, we must ensure the early childhood workforce is well-qualified, well-supported, and well-compensated.
Why is Goal 4 important?
The early childhood workforce is essential to the health and success of children, families, and communities. A strong workforce ensures high-quality care and learning for Vermont’s children. It also supports Vermont’s economy so that parents can work and employers can thrive. Without fair pay, professional recognition, and long-term investment, the state risks ongoing shortages, a lack of stability, and lost opportunities for children and families.
Moving from vision (or plan) to action
To advance Goal 4, Vermont needs to expand access to affordable, high-quality training, education, and professional development for the early childhood workforce.
Goal 4 also aims to increase compensation and benefits for early childhood educators to allow workers to meet their basic needs and thrive.
In addition, we need to use effective recruitment and retention tactics to attract a broad, stable, diverse workforce.
There are many more examples of actions to work toward Goal 4 in the full Strategic Plan.
How can you get involved?
The success of this Plan depends on each of us being a champion to make change. Are you a champion for the early childhood workforce? Champions can be organization leaders or community advocates. Tell us where you are already working to make change by signing on to the Plan.
Sign On to the PlanYou can also get involved with an Early Childhood Regional Council or a state-level Strategic Plan Committee to help BBF track progress and identify challenges that can inform changes to policies and programs. These groups gather virtually 4–8 times a year and most are open to the public. Reach out if you are curious to learn more.
Join a Regional Council Meeting Join a Strategic Plan Committee MeetingYou are also invited to join us on Monday, June 1, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for our next State Advisory Council (SAC) meeting, where we will review and approve the FY27 Building Bright Futures organizational budget and elect a new member to the State Advisory Council and Executive Committee. Register here or view the agenda
