You have accepted a position as executive director for your states child care resource and referral system. As part of defining your new role, you have decided to conduct a survey to see what key issues exist within your states early childhood education system related to service quality, access, and implementation, and how you, as a leader and advocate, can address these issues.
The results of your survey indicate that many of the resource and referral agencies within your state are struggling with issues related to funding and a perceived lack of professionalism. Individual agencies, for example, have had a challenging time convincing policy makers that the first years of life are critical in terms of development and learning and are essential periods of time requiring high-quality care and education. As well, agencies have had challenges with the image of professionals in the field, with many early childhood professionals expressing that others view them as babysitters despite their extensive training and education.