Who is Educating Missouri's Youngest Children?

Abstract

The total size of Missouri's early childhood workforce is unknown. We do know that approximately 16,000 early childhood professionals work in the over 4,000 licensed programs. The workforce also includes about 5,150 persons who are paid to care for children through the subsidy program each month, but do not need a license because they care for four or fewer children. However, the number of teachers who work in the 550 license-exempt programs is unknown. In addition, we do not know how many other persons provide informal care - those keeping neighbors' children or grandchildren - and do not receive subsidies. Therefore, we can only account for the licensed early childhood workforce and the quality of services these professionals provide.