In this important new book, Sharon Lynn Kagan and her colleagues focus on the nearly 5 million individuals who have the responsibility of caring for and educating nearly two thirds of the American children under age 5 who spend time in nonparental care. Providing the most thorough synthesis of current research on the early care and education teaching workforce to date, the authors address frequently asked questions about teacher quality, teacher effectiveness, and the professional development necessary to achieve both and call for a series of bold changes that would transform the early care and education workforce. Featuring the voices of teachers, parents, and policymakers, vignettes help the reader understand the various layers involved in early care and education.