The purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics of the current workforce in early childhood. This report highlights key characteristics of the 2005 early childhood center workforce in Ohio. Survey packets were sent to 3,600 randomly selected centers in April 2005, representing centers licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Each survey packet included a questionnaire for the program director that collected information about the center, its staff and the director. A second questionnaire collected specific information from a randomly selected staff member. The response rate was 27% for directors and 22% for the selected staff member. An item to note in reviewing this study, is that the 2005 Workforce Study included programs licensed by ODE in addition to those licensed by ODJFS. Previous surveys focused only on the ODJFS licensed segment of the early childhood workforce. For the first time Ohio has collected data that reflect the broader center-based early childhood field. Results can be summarized as follows: (1) Male staff increased by 2% from 2001 to 2005; (2) Male directors in ODJFS licensed centers declined by 5.3%; (3) Staff is less ethnically diverse than in 2001; (4) Staff in ODE licensed programs is older than in ODJFS licensed centers; (5) 52% of staff has worked in their current position for 3 years or less; (6) Starting wages in ODJFS licensed centers declined 17% from 2001 to 2005; (7) Average current wages in ODJFS licensed centers is 50% less than in ODE licensed programs; (8) Staff with an associate degree earns nearly 30% more per hour than those with only a high school education; (9) The percent of ODJFS licensed centers offering full or partially paid health insurance has declined nearly 40% since 2001; (10) ODE licensed programs have higher rates of staff with e degrees than ODJFS licensed centers; and (11) 49% of teachers in ODE licensed programs hold an Early Childhood Teaching License compared to 12% in ODJFS licensed centers. Ohio is losing ground in the desirable characteristics of its early childhood workforce. In particular, staff in centers licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) are worse off than in 2001. Declining or stagnant wages and education levels and significantly declining benefits were found in ODJFS licensed centers in the 2005 Ohio Workforce Study. Teacher education, higher wages, and additional benefits in ODJFS licensed centers are crucial for the welfare of the children in the care of these programs. [This publication was produced by the Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association and was made possible by funding provided by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Bureau of Child Care and Development, Ohio Head Start Collaboration Project and Build Ohio.] (Contains 12 tables and 3 figures.)