The Challenge We Must Address
Tennessee has strong education and workforce tools that could better support early educators — but today they are not fully coordinated, and due to recent funding and program cuts there are resource gaps.
Across the state:
- Scholarships and postsecondary programs are underutilized
- High school and dual enrollment pathways lack consistent alignment
- Apprenticeships and work-based learning are not always accessible
- Training supports for child care providers have been reduced
Meanwhile, staffing shortages continue to limit access for families.
Without coordination, Tennessee is leaving workforce resources on the table – and importantly, resource gaps need to be addressed.
The Solution: Coordinate and Strengthen Workforce Development
SB 2404 / HB 2426 would create a temporary task force to align education and workforce systems around early educator career pathways and identify gaps.
It also expands work-based learning by allowing licensed child care and preschool programs to serve as clinical practice sites for apprenticeship-based preparation programs.
What you can do: Be a loud voice for little kids and families!
Your voice matters — and legislators need to hear directly from parents, employers, educators, and community leaders across Tennessee.
Take a moment now to email your state legislators and urge them to support clearing Tennessee’s child care waitlist by filling out the form below (2-3 minutes).
Before sending, consider adding one or two sentences about:
- Your experience as a parent, employer, provider, or community member
- How child care affordability affects your family, workplace, or community
Personal stories — even brief ones — make a powerful impact.
