You’re Not “Just a Babysitter”

You’ve heard it before: “Early childhood educators? Isn’t that just babysitting?” “Teaching preschool can’t be that hard—it’s basically glorified babysitting.”

For early childhood educators, babysitter is a word that stings—and for good reason. For decades, skilled professionals have seen their work minimized, compared to a high schooler’s summer side job, rather than recognized as the complex, impactful profession it truly is.

But here’s the truth: Early childhood educators are some of the most vital workers in our society.

Let’s look at the facts.

The Proven Impact of Early Childhood Education

High-quality early childhood education doesn’t just benefit children in the moment—it shapes entire lifetimes and strengthens communities.

Research consistently shows that children who participate in quality early learning programs experience better outcomes across nearly every area of life:

• According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, children who attended high-quality preschool were 70% less likely to be arrested for a violent crime by age 18.
• The Perry Preschool Project found that children who received quality early learning were 25% more likely to graduate from high school.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports evidence that strong early childhood education can help prevent future adult disease and disability.
• Research from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute shows children with quality early learning experiences were four times more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree or higher.

These outcomes don’t happen by accident—they are the result of skilled educators who understand child development, behavior, learning, and emotional regulation.

Early Childhood Educators Support Families and the Economy

The impact doesn’t stop with children.

When families lack access to reliable, high-quality child care, the economic consequences are severe. According to the Baker Institute for Public Policy:

• Mothers with a college degree lose an average of $420,000 in lifetime earnings and retirement benefits when forced to leave the workforce due to child care gaps.
• Across all mothers in the U.S., the average lifetime loss is $295,000.

And on a broader scale, early childhood education is an economic engine. The Conference Board’s Committee for Economic Development reported that in 2022, early childhood education supported:

• $152 billion in economic output
• $57 billion in household earnings
• 2.2 million jobs nationwide

That’s not babysitting. That’s infrastructure.

The Backbone of Our Future

From crime reduction and health outcomes to education attainment and economic stability, early childhood educators are shaping the future of our state and our nation.

They are teachers.
They are caregivers.
They are economic drivers.
They are public health partners.

And they deserve recognition, respect, and fair compensation for the essential work they do every day. If early childhood educators are the backbone of our communities, then they deserve to be valued like it.

That’s where Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee comes in. WAGE$ provides direct salary supplements to eligible early childhood educators across the state—recognizing experience, education, and commitment to the field with meaningful financial support.

Whether you’re just beginning your career or have dedicated decades to early learning, WAGE$ is here to help ensure your work is respected, retained, and rewarded.

Explore our site to learn more, check your eligibility, and apply today.

Because you’re not “just a babysitter.” You’re shaping lives—and WAGE$ is proud to stand with you.

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