Child Care WAGE$® Program

Child Care WAGE$® Program is sponsored by Early Years Inc. Program providing financial incentives to early childhood educators in North Carolina to improve education and retention.

Child Care WAGE$ - RIAEYC Organization WAGE$ provides education-based salary supplements to center-based educators and family childcare providers working with children in an early childhood setting. The program is designed to increase retention, education, and compensation. The program is funded with Preschool Development Grant (PDG) funding awarded to the State of Rhode Island.

This funding is available for a limited time and based on the parameters of the federal grant. Descargue el volante en español aquí Starting October 1 , WAGE$ staff will be available to provide in-person application assistance to English and Spanish-speaking individuals on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3pm .

Individuals must bring all required documentation including official transcripts, copies of their up-to-date CDA credential (if applicable), recent copies of their paystubs, and their RISES ID. For Family Child Care Providers, please bring your 2024 Schedule C for proof of income.

A partir del 1 de octubre , el personal de WAGE$ estará disponible para brindar asistencia en persona con las solicitudes a personas que hablen inglés y español los lunes y miércoles de 1 a 3 p. m . Los solicitantes deben traer toda la documentación requerida, incluyendo transcripciones oficiales, copias actualizadas de su credencial CDA (si corresponde), copias recientes de sus talonarios de pago y su ID de RISES.

Para los Proveedores de Cuidado Infantil Familiar, por favor traiga su Formulario Schedule C del 2024 como comprobante de ingresos. Please contact [email protected] with any questions. Por favor, póngase en contacto con [email protected] si tiene alguna pregunta.

Some individuals who qualified for the Step Up to WAGE$ pilot program may find they are no longer eligible under the updated criteria. We recognize this may be disappointing, and we want to emphasize that these changes are intended to help us focus our limited resources where they can have the greatest impact, based on what we’ve learned from the pilot.

Algunas personas que calificaron para el programa piloto Step Up to WAGE$ podrían descubrir que ya no son elegibles bajo los criterios actualizados. Reconocemos que esto puede ser decepcionante y queremos enfatizar que estos cambios están destinados a ayudarnos a enfocar nuestros recursos limitados donde puedan tener el mayor impacto, basado en lo que aprendimos del piloto.

Child Care WAGE$ Funding Claim This project was made possible by grant number 90TP0135. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. Child Care WAGE$ is a licensed program of Early Years.

“My husband and I have been praying for a break because we are struggling financially. The cost of living is going so high including my family's health insurance Etc (I am pretty much working just to pay the 1300 a month) We are so beyond grateful for this help! After 34 years of working with children and families, I only make $20 an hour 😔.

Who can I officially write a thank you card to? “ “Wow, this is absolutely amazing! I am incredibly excited and appreciative!

You have no idea what kind of year I've had. I feel proud to be in the field that I am in and doing the work that I love to do every day! ” “The programs helped my centers by helping my staff.

They work hard and need more support than I can offer alone. ” “The money I received has helped me tremendously. As inflation continues to increase, my hourly wage is not sufficient to meet my living expenses.

This helped me continue to perform this very important work. I don't always receive an annual increase which is not due to my job performance. ” Do you earn $23 per hour or less?

(Required) Per DHS Licensing Regulations what is your primary role? (Required) Family Child Care Provider Will you be able obtain an Official Transcript or CDA credential to provide as proof of education? (Required) Will you register with the Rhode Island Start Early System (RISES)?

You will be required to submit proof of your RISES profile and ID number to complete your application. (Required) Do you work at a DHS-licensed, BrightStars, and CCAP participating child care program? (Required) Will you be able to provide proof of income, such as a current pay stub, or for Family Child Care Providers, a 2024 Schedule C or full tax documents if requested?

(Required) At this time, you do not qualify for Child Care WAGE$ Rhode Island. To meet eligibility requirements for this program, you must: Earn $23 per hour or less Provide direct and consistent care for children ages birth to 5 in the following roles: Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Floater, or Family Child Care Provider, without holding dual roles.

Provide proof of education based on the WAGE$ RI scale in the form of an official transcript or CDA credential. Register with the Rhode Island Early Childhood Education Workforce Registry Work at a DHS-licensed, BrightStars & CCAP participating child care program Work at least six (6) months in the same child care program before receiving a wage supplement.

Provide proof of income, such as a current paystub, or for Family Child Care Providers, a Schedule C or full tax documents if requested. The applicant must meet a level of education appearing on the WAGE$ supplement scale Please contact [email protected] with any questions.