Qualify
Do you qualify for WAGE$? Check eligibility requirements, participating locations, and more.
Program
Child Care WAGE$®
Early educators working with children birth to 5 in participating counties may be eligible for education-based salary supplements.
Education that pays
The Child Care WAGE$® program provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid teachers, directors and family child care providers working with children between the ages of birth to 5 in participating counties.
nearly $9M
invested in WAGE$ salary supplements
4,075
supplement recipients
13%
turnover rate
Program Overview
The Child Care WAGE$® program was created in response to research-based evidence that shows that the quality of care children receive is lowered by high turnover rates and inadequate teacher education.
Lack of resources and an effort to maintain affordability for parents often make it difficult for individual child care programs to reward or encourage teacher education through salaries. As a result, many teachers leave the field or never even consider the profession an option. WAGE$ is designed to provide children birth to 5 more stable relationships with better-educated teachers by rewarding teacher education and continuity of care.
$1,227
average six-month supplement
89%
of active participants whose counties have participated two or more years have AAS ECE or higher, or have submitted education during the year to document additional course work
1,806
early education programs with supplement recipients
Program Resources
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Have WAGE$ questions? We can help!
When calling please reference WAGE$. If you are a current participant please also mention the county in which you work. You can also send us a message online.
