Partnership for Children WAGE$® improves teacher skills, turnover

Last year, more than 1,600 young children in Randolph County gained more highly-skilled teachers committed to their classrooms thanks to the Child Care WAGE$® Project . The project, funded by the Randolph County Partnership for Children, provides funding to reward higher levels of education and retain 143 early childhood professionals throughout the county as a way of improving children’s early learning experiences. Research shows that child care programs with highly-skilled teachers and low turnover rates benefit children developmentally, socially, and eventually economically.

Research proves children benefit long-term when they have teachers with college level coursework in early childhood education and are adequately-compensated. Unfortunately, North Carolina preschool teachers make approximately $22,530 a year.

The Child Care WAGE$® Project provides salary supplements to qualifying early educators. It encourages teachers to take college-level early education classes and rewards them financially for achieving higher levels of education and for staying at the same center.

One child care center director said, “WAGE$ has given my staff a positive incentive to continue their education and has helped maintain the same teachers in the classrooms for a longer period of time. This, in turn, will benefit the children!”

Last year, 91% of WAGE$ recipients in Randolph County indicated the program either encourages them to stay at their current child care center or to pursue further education. Since joining WAGE$, 64% of recipients have participated in early education coursework. Additionally, Randolph County’s turnover rate for teachers last year was 13% as compared to a county wide 31% turnover rate prior to implementing the WAGE$ project.

“In today’s economy, my WAGE$ supplement has made the difference between being able to keep my home, car, etc.,” commented a local early childhood professional.
“Times are so hard; the supplement has been a lifesaver.”