Crane Research Forum recap: Hiring Child Care Teachers What Do Providers Want & What External Factors Influence Preferences?

October 2020
written by Janelle Williamson

Crane’s October research forum hosted Dr. Casey Boyd-Swan, Assistant Professor of Economics in the College of Business Administration at Kent State University. Dr. Boyd-Swan shared findings from a recent resume-audit study, a study design that sends fake resumes to employers (in this case – child care providers) to record who is selected to be interviewed. Dr. Boyd-Swan describes providers’ hiring preferences and explores how a state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) might influence those preferences.

Key Highlights

  • Providers do show preferences for previous childcare experience and more education. Interestingly, providers have a stronger preference from applicants with 6 months of experience over those with 2 years of experience. They also prefer relevant education, like a degree in Early Childhood Education.
  • There appears to be racial and ethnic discrimination in provider hiring preferences.
  • Discrimination is especially pronounced when hiring lead teachers in preschool classrooms.
  • Providers tend to prefer applicants that meet minimum state experience and education requirements.
  • Providers in states with no requirements prefer more qualified applicants than those in states with the least rigorous standards.
  • If state childcare regulations are rigorous, it lessens discrimination in hiring preferences.
  • QRIS participation alone does not shift preferences towards more qualified applicants.
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) participation and high QRIS rankings have a large impact.

Crane Center Research Forums are held monthly throughout the university-calendar year, and feature researchers from across the university and Ohio who share their research and its impact on children and families. 

Disclaimer: Crane Research Forum host external researchers; presenters’ research and subsequent interpretations are their own.