Prosperity Program

Wage Supplements for Educators in Part-Day Centers

Recruitment and retention of staff members is a challenge across all child care sectors, but can be especially difficult in part-time care settings, with directors unable to offer employees full-time hours.

By providing financial assistance to part-time providers in the form of annual stipends, the Prosperity Initiative aims to alleviate some of these challenges and improve the financial stability of early educators.

Do I qualify to participate in the Prosperity Program?

Eligible Applicants Must:

  • Be employed in a part-day care setting as a teacher, teacher’s assistant, aid, or administrative personnel.

  • Work with children ages 0-5 years.

  • Work at least 5 hours a week in an ECE setting.

  • Earn no more than $20 an hour.

How do I apply to participate in the Prosperity Program?

Smart Start of Transylvania County administers the Prosperity Wage Supplement Initiative with funding provided by Dogwood Health Trust.

In 2024, 41 part-time educators received supplement checks through Prosperity. Smart Start of Transylvania County will be awarding wage supplement payments again in 2025, based on education and experience. Substitute teachers are also eligible to receive a flat-rate check.

Registration for Prosperity is now closed but will resume in the Fall of 2025.

  • “Teaching is a calling that comes with many fulfillments, but practitioners are rarely financially compensated appropriately for the effort and energy the job takes. The Prosperity Project stipends go a long way, not only giving teachers a much deserved bonus, but also helping us remember how grateful communities are for us. Thank you for helping our teachers feel supported and appreciated!”

    – TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY DIRECTOR

  • “​​Receiving the Prosperity Wage Supplement is a welcome support. It demonstrates Transylvania County's dedication to early childhood education and recognizes the value provided by part-time and alternative programs in our county. We appreciate the acknowledgment and assistance, as it helps us progress towards sustainability.”

    – TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY DIRECTOR

  • "The additional funds to supplement pay is a blessing for our staff members! Thanks for this creative line of thinking to support those that work with preschool children!"

    – TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY DIRECTOR

  • "I have been in several childcare settings from full-time state regulated to private to part-day holding positions from teacher to director for 43 years... I have experienced the T.E.A.C.H. and WAGES supplement program and I always looked forward to when my staff benefited from a monetary return. And now being in a part-day preschool, this opportunity is available to my staff and I am so thankful that they can experience this benefit of receiving something a little extra that shows appreciation for their time and hard work given to providing quality care for children in Transylvania County. "

    – TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY DIRECTOR