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Impact Areas

Workforce

By understanding the workforce's characteristics, training, needs, and challenges, NIEER helps shape policies and initiatives that support the ECE workforce and enhance the quality of care and education provided to young children.

NIEER's mission is to strengthen the early childhood care workforce through evidence-based recommendations. Surveys gather data on qualifications, professional development, job satisfaction, compensation, and conditions of the ECE workforce.  NIEER provides research-based technical assistance and professional development, including building a pipeline of Latine ECE leaders through it’s BELLELLE project. Our research aims to improve workforce practices, retention, satisfaction, compensation, and equity. Policy analysis identifies ways to enhance workforce quality, compensation, and supports through local, state, and federal regulations. 

Access Our Research Library

The National Institute for Early Education Research's comprehensive research library serves as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in the field of early childhood education. The library is a repository of research reports, policy briefs, academic papers, and other publications related to early childhood education. Many of the resources in the NIEER Research Library are made available for free as downloadable PDFs or accessible through links.

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Learn More About Our Work

    Policy Landscapes

    NIEER's policy landscapes offer insights into early childhood education policies, enrollment, and nationwide funding. Advocates, policy-makers, and researchers rely on them to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education. 

    Research & Program Evaluation

    We evaluate nationwide early childhood programs, rigorously assessing impact. Data-driven evaluations span years, revealing strengths and weaknesses for targeted improvements. 

    NIEER Development Tools

    NIEER has created numerous proprietary research tools that include assessments, surveys, cost calculators, and evaluations, used by researchers and educators to gather data, analyze information, and evaluate the effectiveness of early childhood education programs. 

    International Journal of Childcare and Education Policy

    The International Journal of Childcare and Education Policy (IJCEP) is a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal focusing on childcare and education policy research for young children. 

    Technical Assistance

    NIEER provides technical assistance to state advocates on improving the quality of early care and education programs and understanding the costs associated with high-quality programs. NIEER is producing a series of Guides to PreK Expansion and other resources to support state and national advocates in their efforts to ensure all children have access to high-quality early care and education. 

    Partnership with New Jersey

    New Jersey has a rich history of supporting early learning, evidenced by the state's Supreme Court decisions, legal regulations, financial investments, and committed state leadership. However, a pivotal turning point came with a landmark legal decision that sparked significant changes and laid the groundwork for progress over the last two decades.