WAGE$ Program

Salary supplements for our educators.

The Child Care WAGE$ Program provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid teachers, directors and family child care educators working with children aged 0-5

Do I qualify to participate in the WAGE$ program in Transylvania County?

Eligible Applicants Must:

  • Be employed as a teacher, teacher’s assistant, or director.

  • Work with children ages 0-5 years.

  • Work at least 10 hours per week in a licensed childcare center.

  • Earn less than $23 per hour.

  • Have at least 12 semester hours of eligible coursework.

How do I apply to participate in the WAGE$ program?

Smart Start of Transylvania County funds wage supplements for participants in the Child Care WAGE$ Program in licensed child care centers, increasing teacher pay to or above a living wage.

Smart Start recognizes that child care centers in Transylvania County incur some of the highest operation costs in NC and strive to pay staff well in the face of increasing costs and a shortage of qualified teachers to maintain DCDEE licensing stars.

To apply, visit the Child Care WAGE$ website (all applications must be submitted through the CCSA website or via mail to CCSA)!

  • “It has been a great deal of help to me and makes my life so much better. Not only does it motivate me to get more education, it also helps me with my financial burden.”

    – TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY EDUCATOR

  • “Our staff is not paid a wage that is high enough to reflect their education, skill level and amount of hard work done each day. This bonus from the WAGE$ Program helps with their pay, encourages their education and gives them tremendous emotional support to know someone realizes their situation and is at least supporting them in some concrete, financial way.”

    – TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY DIRECTOR