A quarter of early child care educators in Colorado reported mistreatment from co-workers

Early childhood educators’ role

Early childhood educators and staff support and teach children younger than 5, combining caregiving with early learning in group settings. Their work requires meeting children’s emotional, physical, and educational needs while maintaining a safe, engaging environment.

“We operate in a sector where there is a significant expectation for children to feel safe and enjoy learning. We have young ones who rely on us, parents who count on us, and it's crucial that we are present for the children when they need us.”

Study design and scope

A research team led by a clinical associate professor and a public health research assistant professor examined workplace experiences of early childhood staff in Colorado. The peer‑reviewed study surveyed 332 early childhood educators and staff working in 42 Head Start centers in the Denver metropolitan area and southeastern Colorado.

What the researchers measured

Experiences of discrimination related to age, race, ethnicity, and gender.
Forms of demeaning behavior such as bullying, harassment, condescension, and physical violence at work.

Frequency of mistreatment

The study found that roughly 25% of early childhood staff in Colorado reported mistreatment or discrimination by co‑workers in the previous year. About 15% of respondents indicated they had experienced more than one type of mistreatment during that time.

Most common negative behaviors

Around one in four staff said they experienced condescending or demeaning treatment from colleagues or supervisors in the past year, making it the most frequently reported form of mistreatment.
Approximately 10% of staff reported discrimination at work based on race or ethnicity.

Mental health and well‑being

Higher levels of workplace mistreatment were associated with more days of poor mental health among staff. On average, participants reported about a week of poor mental health during the month before the survey.

Younger workers at higher risk

Younger employees, particularly those aged 18–29, reported discrimination at roughly three times the rate of older staff.
Staff under 35 described about eight to nine days of poor mental health in a 30‑day period, compared with about 5.6 days among older workers.

Working conditions and stress

Early childhood staff reported higher levels of depression than the national workforce average. Chronic stress and difficult working conditions contribute to burnout and can push some educators to leave the field.

Physical and emotional demands

Daily work can involve lifting and carrying children, managing varied ages and developmental needs, and constant supervision.
Persistent stress from these demands, combined with mistreatment, can erode job satisfaction and overall well‑being.

Pay and societal recognition

The findings highlight a mismatch between the importance of early childhood work and how it is rewarded. In 2023, preschool teachers in the United States earned an average annual salary of about \$37,120, compared with roughly \$63,680 for elementary school teachers.

Why compensation matters

Low wages make it difficult for early childhood staff to remain in the profession, especially when combined with high stress and mistreatment.
Better pay and recognition could support staff retention and help ensure stable, high‑quality care for young children.

Consequences for workplaces

Mistreatment can weaken teamwork and relationships in early childhood centers. In settings where collaboration is essential, ongoing disrespect or discrimination may worsen burnout and discourage staff from taking on leadership roles.

How mistreatment appears among staff

Younger staff may be seen as less experienced or less committed, while older staff may be treated as less flexible or creative.
Multiple forms of mistreatment can overlap for the same person, intensifying negative mental and physical health effects.

Need for change

The research suggests that both societal and organizational changes are needed to reduce mistreatment of early childhood staff. Improving working conditions, strengthening protections against discrimination, and aligning compensation with the importance of the work could benefit both staff and the children they care for.

Potential directions for improvement

Recognize early childhood educators as essential contributors to children’s development and family stability.
Implement policies and workplace practices that prevent mistreatment, support mental health, and promote supportive team cultures.

SUMMARY: The article shows that many Colorado early childhood educators face workplace mistreatment and low pay, harming their mental health and threatening the stability of children’s care.

Phys.org on MSN — 2025-11-25