This project establishes a panel of independent experts to develop a study of the nation's Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) workforce. The primary objective is to provide an adequate description of the ECCE workforce outlining the parameters that define the population and the supports provided for early childhood teachers and caregivers. The task order consists of the appointment of a planning committee, with reports to be made available to research, policy, and practice communities. The National Academy of Sciences is convening a planning meeting that will organize and convene a two-day workshop to carry out the following tasks: (1) describe the size and composition of the ECCE workforce in different care and learning settings for young children (ages birth to 5); (2) review the primary sources of training, recruitment, and compensation for this workforce; (3) identify key aspects of workforce structure and quality that are associated with caregiver/provider and teacher, child, and family outcomes; (4) highlight challenges and gaps that require attention in striving to improve the capacity and quality of this workforce in developing quality environments for young children who are enrolled in child care and early learning programs; and (5) consider incentives and strategies to resolve these challenges and reduce disparities in ECCE settings.