This factsheet is the first in a three-part series presenting findings from a survey of 2,379 Maryland early care and education (ECE) workers conducted in Fall 2024. This factsheet provides an overview of the demographic characteristics of ECE workers in Maryland, including center directors, lead teachers, aides/floaters, and family child care (FCC) providers. It includes worker age, family characteristics, and education and training background.
Key Findings
- Many Maryland ECE workers have their own children. One in four have at least one child ages 5 and younger and over one third have at least one child ages 6 to 17.
- Maryland ECE workers typically have a high school diploma or some college.
- Many of Maryland's ECE workforce have formal credentials. Over half of respondents have a Maryland Child Care Credential and one in four hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
- The Maryland ECE workforce is experienced and over half of respondents entered the ECE field because it was their personal calling, mission, or career.
Methods
The research findings presented in this product were based on an analysis of a Maryland ECE workforce survey conducted in Fall 2024. Administrative data were used to identify eligible ECE workforce members who worked in licensed child care programs as of June 1, 2024 and had an email address in the data. A total of 24,726 ECE workforce members received an invitation to participate in the survey. Each ECE workforce member received a unique link to the survey. The final sample consisted of 2,379 respondents, including center directors (16%), center lead teachers (34%), center aides/floaters (11%), and family child care (FCC) owners (15%).
Data were weighted to be representative of the Maryland ECE workforce.
Suggested citation: Ulmen, K., Gerson, C., Forry, N., Lin, Y., Madill, R., Banghart, P., & Solomon, B. (2026). Characteristics of Maryland’s early care and education workforce. Child Trends. DOI: 10.56417/3112b6614f