Why Community Leaders Are Invited to Early Educator Day

Early childhood educators do complex, skilled work every day — guiding learning, supporting development, and creating safe, nurturing environments for young children. Yet for many outside the classroom, it can be difficult to fully understand what this work looks like in practice.

That’s why Randolph Partnership for Children invites community leaders, elected officials, and business owners to participate in Early Educator Day on March 25.

What Is Early Educator Day?

Early Educator Day is a job-shadowing experience designed to give community leaders a firsthand look at the work early childhood educators do with our youngest learners.

Participants spend two hours shadowing an early educator in a local early learning setting. This experience allows leaders to observe the knowledge, patience, responsiveness, and decision-making required in early childhood classrooms.

Following the classroom visit, participants gather for a guided debrief over lunch to reflect on what they observed and discuss the role early educators play in supporting children, families, and the broader workforce.

A Closer Look at Compensation

As part of the debrief, participants receive a mock paycheck representing what they would have earned for their time in the classroom if they were employed as that educator.

This moment is not intended to surprise or shame, but to provide important context. It helps connect the skilled work participants observed with the reality of how early educators are compensated — and opens the door for informed, meaningful conversation.

Why Leaders and Business Owners Are Invited

Early childhood education is not only a family issue — it is a workforce and economic issue.

When early educators are supported, child care programs are more stable, families are better able to work, and local businesses benefit from a reliable workforce. Leaders who understand the realities of early childhood education are better positioned to make informed decisions that strengthen their communities.

Early Educator Day offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from classrooms rather than from reports or statistics alone.

Who Should Participate

Early Educator Day is especially relevant for:

• Municipal, county, and state leaders
• Business owners and employers
• Community decision-makers and advocates

No prior experience with early childhood education is needed — just a willingness to listen, observe, and learn.

Join Us on March 25

Early Educator Day takes place on March 25, with job-shadowing opportunities scheduled throughout the morning and a shared lunch and debrief to follow.

Community leaders and business owners who are interested in participating are encouraged to learn more and sign up.

Learn more about Early Educator Day and register to participate