The cost of care

Early childhood development (ECD) practitioners are at core of care and overall well-being for children in ECD centers. Despite their importance, ECD practitioners’ psychosocial well-being is often overlooked in policy and research. While prior studies have documented challenges such as low pay and limited career progression, less attention has been given to the problem of delayed salary payments. This is an often overlooked form of economic insecurity that disproportionately affects women and household breadwinners. This study aimed to explore the interplay between salary payment and ECD practitioners’ work conditions, economic insecurity, and professional recognition. The cross-sectional, nationally representative Thrive by Five Index data collected in 2021 among 2288 ECD practitioners were analyzed. Data were analyzed at the univariate, bivariate, and multivariable levels. Using logistic regression, the outcome of the study was delayed salary payment. The findings showed that being a breadwinner significantly increased the likelihood of delayed salary payment (OR = 1.33, p = .009). Practitioners residing in large households (nine or more members) were also significantly more likely to report delayed salary payments (OR = 2.74, p p , securing stable contracts, fair wages, and consistent payments for practitioners. Addressing payment delays is not only a labor rights issue but it is essential for delivering quality early learning and achieving equity in ECD

Early childhood · Logistic regression · Odds · Payment · Psychosocial · Salary · Socioeconomic status · Early Childhood Education and Development · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Work-Family Balance Challenges

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