Department of Early Learning and Care : Support Careers in Early Childhood Education : For Providers : State of Oregon

Support Early Learning Careers

Welcome to Building Careers in Early Childhood Education, a dedicated resource for community partners committed to supporting meaningful career pathways. This platform highlights the diverse and rewarding opportunities within the field of early childhood education (ECE), showcasing how it can be a viable and impactful career choice. Explore the variety of roles, from classroom educators to program administrators, and learn how investing in ECE careers not only strengthens the workforce but also enriches the entire community. Join us in championing a profession that shapes the future and drives long-term success for children, families, and society.

Early childhood job opportunities are expected to grow over the next several years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as a large number of teachers are expected to retire and the emphasis on early childhood education increases. Some 50,000 preschool teaching jobs are estimated to be needed by 2028, along with more than 100,000 kindergarten and early elementary teaching positions. Individuals with a degree in child development or early childhood education can expect a wide range of career options. In addition to the growth in child care jobs, the pandemic highlighted the need for child care in other sectors. In Oregon, initiatives funded by Future Ready Oregon will need child care to succeed.

Since the pandemic, an increasing number of states are recognizing early care and education as a public good, working toward beginning or expanding state funded child care and pay parity with K-12 teachers. A substantial research base confirms that when children participate in high-quality early childhood education, they are:

More likely to experience improved cognitive and social outcomes
More likely to graduate from high school; less likely to require remedial education; and
Generally healthier and able to be more productive contributors to their local, state, and national economies. (NAEYC, 2020)

Stay Informed with DELC Updates

Subscribe to DELC's email newsletters and stay in the know!

Subscribe to Emails from DELC

Resources for Partners

These documents and reports contain useful information and recommendations for partners in Early Childhood Education.

Credit for Prior Learning Benefits

2023 Credit for Prior Learning Annual Report

Importance of ECE and Higher Education

Practicum Position Statement

Growing Futures: Nurturing ECE Careers

High school Explore Careers Flier: English

High school Explore Careers Flier: Spanish

Higher Education Consortia Success

Early Learning Workforce Explore Careers Flier: English

Early Learning Workforce Explore Careers Flier: Spanish

Importance of Infant Toddler Education

turn to top

Professional Learning System Overview

The Professional Learning System Office (PLSO) is responsible for coordinating and providing support, in partnership with various agencies, to enhance the quality and access to professional development.

The objective of the PLSO is to drive the transformation and improvement of early learning and care settings throughout Oregon. This DELC office oversees the Professional Learning System for early learning in Oregon.

The Professional Learning System Framework is centered on instigating system change and improvement through various key components, which include Recruitment and Respect, Preparation, Degrees, Credentials, Professional Learning, and Retention.

Diagram of the Professional Learning System Office (PLSO)

DELC's Mission

The Department of Early Learning and Care fosters coordinated culturally appropriate, and family-centered services that recognize and respect the strengths and needs of all children, families, and early learning and care professionals.

DELC's Vision

All children, families, early care and education professionals, and communities are supported and empowered to thrive.

DELC Funded Community Partners

Early Learning Hubs are community-based conveners that collaborate across sectors to build equitable, integrated, and inclusive early childhood systems within local communities. They leverage state, federal, and community resources to support early learning and family services, ensuring all children have access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

Based at Western Oregon University, TRI provides research, evaluation, and technical support for early learning and childcare systems. It manages key programs like Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (Spark) and offers professional development, training, and technical assistance through its Center on Early Learning and Youth Development.

Housed at Oregon State University, ELSI focuses on professional development for early childhood educators, emphasizing coaching, inclusion, and high-quality teaching. It works with statewide partners to build capacity in Oregon’s early learning workforce and supports ongoing initiatives like the Pyramid Model for inclusion.

Located at Portland State University, OCCD provides leadership in developing professional development standards for early childhood educators in Oregon. It manages the Oregon Registry and trainer programs, offering professional recognition, career pathways, and financial assistance to early educators.

Regional CCR&Rs are responsible for supporting key aspects of our childcare system including promoting recruitment and retention and providing professional learning. CCR&Rs are seen as experts and leaders in supporting quality improvement practices in early learning programs to enhance high quality environments for Oregon’s children.

Oregon’s Early Learning Career Pathway Redesign

Oregon is updating The Career Lattice (points) for the early learning workforce. The goal is to make the system easier to understand and navigate, while recognizing the many ways professionals grow in their work.

This redesign honors the experience educators already have and supports multiple ways of learning and advancement, including training, coaching, higher education, lived experience, multilingual skills, and community knowledge.

No one will move backward on the career lattice (steps) as a result of these changes.

This work is being shaped with input from educators, community partners, and system leaders across Oregon, and there will be opportunities for public feedback before anything is finalized.

What This Means for You

You will keep your current step. No one will lose progress.
Your education and professional learning will continue to count.
The future system is being designed to better reflect real work, real learning, and multiple pathways.
You will have opportunities to share feedback and help shape the final design.
Changes are being planned carefully, with time to test and adjust before statewide use.
This work is guided by workforce voices and cross-sector collaboration.
Reviews will happen throughout the process to reduce unintended impacts.
The goal is a system that supports workforce growth and stability statewide.

Estimated Timeline at a Glance

Now–June 2027: Planning and design work by a cross-sector change team with periodic reviews by the Oregon Center for Career Development (OCCD) Advisory Council, which includes community and system partner representatives.
Fall 2026: Community and workforce feedback opportunities
July 2027 (estimated): Small-scale pilot begins
After pilot: Adjustments made before full implementation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will I lose my current step?
No. Educators will not move backward on the career lattice (steps) because of these changes.

When will these changes happen?
This work is still in development. A small-scale pilot is estimated to begin in July 2027, followed by adjustments before full implementation.

Will there be opportunities for feedback?
Yes. Community and workforce feedback opportunities are planned for fall 2026, with additional opportunities as the work continues. An engagement interest form will be shared soon for those who would like to participate.

Who is doing this work?
A change team working through June 2027 includes representatives from workforce organizations, higher education, early learning programs, labor, and community-based partners.

Why is this taking time?
This is a full redesign, not a quick update. The timeline allows us to listen, test ideas, make improvements, and reduce unintended impacts.

How can I stay informed?
Updates and engagement opportunities will be shared as the work moves forward. Please check back regularly for new information.

Submit Updates

Have an update or revision to make on the resources displayed here? Fill out this form and let us know!

Smartsheet Link

return to top

Support Careers in Early Childhood Education