Abstract
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) has the potential to address a range of goals, yet delivering on the potential of ECEC requires a workforce that is equipped and motivated to meet the unique demands of facilitating young children’s development, learning and well-being. The OECD Starting Strong Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS Starting Strong) focuses on the ECEC workforce. In 2024, ECEC staff and leaders in 17 countries and subnational entities shared insights into a wide range of topics, including their working conditions, professional development opportunities and their work with young children.
This report presents the results of the survey, looking at the activities and supports for children and their families through ECEC, as well as the aspects of working in ECEC that staff appreciate, their opportunities for career progression and sources of work-related stress. The governance, oversight and structure of job opportunities in the sector are also considered. Taking a forward-looking approach, the TALIS Starting Strong 2024 data are used to inform strategies for strengthening ECEC systems in the face of shifting demands on the sector and short-term crises, better equipping these systems to realise the benefits of ECEC for the future.