The following questions and answers are also available for download as a WAGE$ Fact Sheet (haga clic aquí para hoja de hechos en Español). You can also see our newsletter archive for more information.
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What is the Child Care WAGE$® Program?
The Child Care WAGE$® Program provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid teachers, directors and family child care educators working with children ages birth to 5 years old. The program is designed to increase retention, education and compensation. The Child Care WAGE$® Program is a collaboration between your local Smart Start partnership, the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) and the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). It is administered by Child Care Services Association (CCSA).
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Who is eligible to receive a salary supplement?
Teachers, directors and family child care educators earning at or below the income cap selected by the funding partnership may be eligible to participate. Partnerships may choose one of three income cap options: $17, $19 or $23/hour. The supplement recipient must work with children ages birth to 5 at least 10 hours per week in a licensed child care program in a participating county and must have a level of education appearing on the Child Care WAGE$® supplement scale. Partnerships may also elect not to fund administrative time, level two education or time worked in a site with fewer than three stars.
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How much will I receive?
The awards vary based on the tier selected by the funding partnership. Local Smart Start partnerships choose one of three different supplement models (tiers) and awards are issued accordingly. The scales show annual award amounts for full-time eligibility. Awards are issued in two six-month installments, each after the participant completes an assigned six-month commitment period in the same child care program. The amount received will reflect the schedule worked during the six-month period; supplements for part-time employees are prorated. Funding partnerships may choose to apply a percentage cut to supplements due to budget constraints or may increase awards if funding is available.
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What do I have to do to participate in the Child Care WAGE$® Program?
Interested early educators must complete an application and provide verification of (1) current employment in a participating child care program, (2) current wages and (3) education earned, as verified by an official transcript or with an active CDA Credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. If an official transcript has been submitted to Early Educator Certification or Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$® Plus, that transcript may be used.
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How are supplements received?
Payments are issued following commitment period completion to eligible participants who have met the requirements. Commitment periods run from mid-month to mid-month and are established by CCSA for each individual participant using application date, start date and education documentation. The installment is based on half of the annual award amount and reflects the schedule worked during the six- month period. All payments are contingent upon funding availability. Program staff must verify that participants have worked in their child care programs during the preceding six months before payments can be issued. Payments are issued after CCSA has received the necessary funding from NCPC. Once approved for an award, participants who remain in the same child care program and obtain the necessary education (if applicable) do not need to reapply in order to receive future installments.
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How can I increase the level of the supplement I receive?
Participants in the Child Care WAGE$® Program may increase their supplement amounts by gaining more education. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Program offers scholarships to child care professionals who want to earn course credits toward specific early childhood credentials or degrees. Contact the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Program at CCSA (919-967-3272) for more information. Participants are encouraged to send WAGE$ an updated official transcript after the completion of any formal coursework so staff can determine the highest possible award. All educational levels noted with an asterisk on the scale are temporary. Participants must advance to a higher level as noted on the scale in order to remain eligible. Deadlines are shared with individual participants as applicable.
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Do I have to pay taxes on the supplement I receive?
The salary supplement is income. Participants will receive an IRS-1099 form at the end of the year if they received $600 or more from CCSA during the calendar year. Recipients are responsible for reporting and paying any personal income taxes due.
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Will I receive a supplement if I move to another child care program?
Payments are issued to participants after each six-month period in the same child care program. If a participant moves to another licensed child care program in a participating county within the six months, then the commitment period must be reset based on reapplication and the employment date at the new site. This policy is designed to encourage more stability for the children in care.
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If I work in a child care center, what is the center’s responsibility?
A child care center must agree to provide verification of an applicant’s employment status and wages and agree not to use participation in the program to offset normal wage increases. The center is not responsible for providing the salary supplement should funding no longer be available.
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What is the Child Care WAGE$® Program and how is it different from Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$® Plus?
The Child Care WAGE$® Program (WAGE$) is an education-based salary supplement program designed to increase the retention, education and compensation of low paid teachers, directors and family child care providers working with children ages birth to five. WAGE$ is an option for all Smart Start partnerships and is available in counties that have elected to fund the program. While WAGE$ funds eligible positions working with children ages birth to five, Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$® Plus only funds full-time infant-toddler educators.
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Can I participate on both AWARD$ Plus and WAGE$ (or a local supplement program)?
Interested infant-toddler teachers may apply to participate in AWARD$ Plus, but individuals can only participate in one supplement program. If you are currently receiving WAGE$ or a local supplement and a waiting list exists for AWARD$ Plus, you may continue to be paid by your current program until funding is available for AWARD$ Plus. If your current initiative provides higher payments, consider continuing with that program. If you are unsure which supplement program is most beneficial to you, contact an AWARD$ Plus or WAGE$ specialist at 919-967-3272.
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My county participates on WAGE$ at Tier Three. Should I apply to AWARD$ Plus?
The supplement amounts for a Tier Three county are higher than the Tier Two supplements provided by AWARD$ Plus. If you are an active WAGE$ participant in a Tier Three county, you would receive a higher supplement by staying on WAGE$. However, the eligibility requirements may be different. If you are unfamiliar with your county’s eligibility, please call a WAGE$ specialist at 919-967-3272. If you are currently on a waiting list in one of these counties, and there is no waiting list for AWARD$ Plus, you may consider moving to AWARD$ Plus with the understanding your supplement would be less.
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I am over income for WAGE$. Should I apply for AWARD$® Plus?
It is possible that you may be eligible for AWARD$® Plus if you make $19.99 per hour or less. You must also have a level of education on the AWARD$® Plus scale, be employed in a licensed facility and work at least 30 hours per week with children birth through two.
Have child care questions? We can help!
Call a WAGE$ specialist at 919-967-3272. We are available by phone Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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.