Using the Systems Change Framework to Create Intentional Change for the ECE Workforce: Webinar Recap
- May 1
- 2 min read
The early childhood education (ECE) workforce is the heart of high-quality care and learning for young children. Yet supporting and sustaining this vital workforce requires thoughtful, intentional change—change that addresses the systems surrounding early educators, not just individual programs or initiatives.
On April 17, 2025, the National ECE Workforce Center hosted a timely and important webinar: "Using the Systems Change Framework to Create Intentional Change With and For the ECE Workforce." This session explored how early childhood leaders can apply systems thinking to drive lasting improvements for the workforce at local, state, and national levels.
If you missed it, here’s a recap of the key insights and next steps.
Understanding Systems Change
The webinar introduced the Systems Change Framework as a tool for examining and reshaping the structures, policies, mindsets, and practices that impact the ECE workforce.
Unlike isolated reforms, systems change aims to create deeper, interconnected shifts by focusing on:
Structures: Policies, funding models, organizational practices
Relationships: Collaboration across sectors and communities
Mental Models: Beliefs, narratives, and assumptions about the workforce
Power Dynamics: Decision-making authority and resource allocation
The presenters emphasized that without addressing the systems surrounding the ECE workforce, well-intentioned changes may only achieve surface-level impact—or may not be sustainable at all.
Applying the Framework to ECE Workforce Challenges
Throughout the session, speakers illustrated how the Systems Change Framework can be applied to real-world ECE workforce issues, such as:
Compensation and Benefits: Moving beyond incremental wage increases to challenge systemic undervaluing of early educators.
Workforce Diversity and Equity: Ensuring leadership opportunities and professional growth pathways reflect the diversity of the workforce.
Access to Professional Development: Addressing systemic barriers, including cost, language, and geographic access, rather than placing responsibility solely on individual educators.
The approach encourages stakeholders to think upstream—asking not only "What programs should we create?" but "What systems need to shift to make quality jobs possible and sustainable for all early educators?"
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
Start with shared understanding: Use frameworks like this to build a common language around what needs to change—and why.
Focus on collaboration: Systems change requires cross-sector partnerships, with families, educators, policymakers, and funders working together.
Center those most impacted: ECE workforce members must be engaged as decision-makers, not just recipients of change.
Pace matters: Sustainable change takes time and must be designed with long-term vision and incremental wins along the way.
The webinar reinforced that transforming the ECE workforce experience requires intentional action at multiple levels—not quick fixes or isolated efforts.
Next Steps
The National ECE Workforce Center continues to offer resources, learning opportunities, and technical assistance for leaders committed to strengthening the ECE workforce through systems-level approaches.
You can access more about the event and related resources below.
At NICCA, we recognize that strong systems are essential to supporting Native early childhood educators and the communities they serve. We encourage Tribal early childhood leaders, program directors, and policymakers to engage with systems change strategies that honor cultural values, promote equity, and uplift the workforce that carries forward our most important work—caring for and educating our youngest generations.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to learn, collaborate, and lead meaningful change!
