We Say We Value Early Learning, But Will Our State Budget Reflect Our Values?

By Ross “Chad” Nunamaker, Executive Director,

Southwest Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children

Follow Chad on LinkedIn or email him at chad.nunamaker@swoaeyc.org.

Ohio’s children and families can’t wait, and neither can early childhood educators. How can we claim to value early learning without investing in the early childhood educators and programs who make early learning possible?

This April, during Week of the Young Child, mayors across southwest Ohio issued proclamations recognizing the valuable role of early childhood education, educators, and programs. As families struggle to access affordable, high-quality early care and education, and educators burn out under the weight of low wages and challenging work, the stakes have never been higher. Will our state budget reflect our values?

Ohio Families, and the Early Childhood Educators They Rely on, Are in Crisis

Every day, families across Ohio struggle to access affordable, high-quality early care and education. Without access, children miss critical developmental opportunities, parents can’t work, and employers face labor shortages. Meanwhile, educators are being pushed out of the field by unsustainable conditions.

In a 2025 survey by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), 49% of Ohio early childhood educators reported feeling more burned out than the previous year. Passion runs deep in this field, but the reality of doing highly skilled, specialized, and demanding work for low wages is unsustainable. One educator said:

“We are not just teaching ABCs or babysitting. We are identifying children’s developmental needs, managing trauma, supporting families, doing assessments, filling in gaps, and we are doing it because we care. But we need more than passion to keep going.”

Another educator put it simply:

“This work is filled with love, but love does not pay the bills.”

According to NAEYC, average wages for Ohio early childhood educators are $11.77 an hour. Ohio’s early childhood educators are buckling under the pressure, and many are leaving the field. Over half of early care and education programs in Ohio are under enrolled not because of a lack of demand from families, but largely due to staffing challenges.

We need urgent investment in early childhood educators now.

The Economics Are Clear: The Workforce Behind the Workforce

Early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce, but the conditions they face would be unacceptable in any other field. When early care and education programs can’t hire or retain qualified staff, they close classrooms, limit enrollment, or raise tuition. This leaves families in impossible situations, and the impact ripples out: employers lose workers, communities lose economic momentum, and children lose access to the high-quality early care and education they need to thrive.

A recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation report, in partnership with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Groundwork Ohio, found that Ohio’s economy loses an estimated $5.48 billion annually due to these challenges. Families are directly bearing the cost, too. Full-time early care and education in Ohio costs an average of $12,351 for infants and $11,125 for toddlers. That represents about 17% of a household's median income of $67,769.

These are not just statistics. They’re signs of a multifaceted system that desperately needs investment. If we want a strong, stable workforce in every sector of our economy, we must begin by valuing those who make all other work possible: early childhood educators.

From Local Leaders to State Lawmakers: The Time to Act Is Now

The recent mayoral proclamations in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton show that local governments value early learning as foundational to strong, thriving communities. Now, the state must meet the moment.

We are partnering with Groundwork Ohio and others across the state in calling on Ohio lawmakers to prioritize young children, families, and early childhood educators in this year’s budget. That means:

• Expanding funding for early care and education assistance and eligibility.

• Increasing wages and benefits for early childhood educators, directly and indirectly.

• Investing in sustainable infrastructure for the early learning system.

• Protecting federal investments and leveraging state dollars to do more.

Ohio has shown its commitment to high-quality early learning, and commitment requires continuous investment.

Who We Are: Southwest Ohio AEYC

The Southwest Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children is a proud affiliate of NAEYC serving Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and 16 surrounding counties. Our members include early childhood educators, directors, college professors, family child care providers, mental health professionals, and advocates, all working to ensure every child has access to high-quality early learning.

We know that investments in the early childhood workforce are critical for children’s healthy development, strong families, successful communities, and a resilient economy. That’s why we work with partners across Ohio for increased wages and benefits, professional respect, and the resources educators need to succeed.

You can get involved with our work by emailing us at info@swoaeyc.org.

It’s Time for Our Actions to Align With Our Values

Leaders across Ohio have clearly stated that they value early learning, but will our state budget reflect our values? We urge Ohioans to raise their voices through the easy-to-use tools from Groundwork Ohio, share their stories, support early childhood educators, and demand a budget that reflects our values. Early childhood doesn’t last long, but the benefits of investing in it do.