As of 2025, WAGE$ now recognizes administrative duties for Directors and Assistant Directors as eligible hours. This means that tasks such as payroll, planning and prep, and program monitoring will count toward supplement calculations.

Previously, Directors were prorated based on the number of hours spent in the classroom. Under the new policy, this is no longer the case. Directors who are currently enrolled in WAGE$ will automatically receive full credit for their eligible hours and do not need to reapply. Additionally, Directors who have not yet applied can now qualify even if they do not spend at least 10 hours per week in the classroom, as long as all other eligibility criteria are met.

Owners will be asked to submit their tax information to verify their pay rate, rather than submitting a paystub.

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Yes! Part-time employees are welcome to apply for WAGE$. They will, however, see their supplement amount reduced. Every applicant working less than 30 hours per week in the classroom will receive a prorated amount. Those supplements will be prorated at the following rates:

30-40 hours per week: 100%

 21-29 hours per week: 75%

 10-20 hours per week 50%

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How much money a recipient receives is directly related to the amount of education they have and how many hours per week they spend working in a classroom with children ages birth to five. The more education an educator has, the higher the salary supplement amount, as evidenced by our salary supplement scale.

Educators who work full-time in the classroom will receive the full amount of the supplement. Educators working part-time will see their supplement prorated at the following rates:

30-40 hours per week: 100%

 21-29 hours per week: 75%

 10-20 hours per week 50%

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To apply for the WAGE$ program, early childhood educators must:

1. Fill out an application
2. Submit an official transcript
3. Send a paystub no older than two months

Filling out an application takes around 15 minutes. Filling out the Employee Verification Form will take administrators around five minutes. Please allow around 24 hours for transcripts ordered electronically to arrive in our inbox.

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Every supplement amount listed on the salary supplement scale is split into two payments given every six months worked consecutively at the same center.

Yes! WAGE$ does not remove any taxes from your salary supplement, but the money you receive from us will be viewed as taxable income by the IRS. During tax season, we will send you your 1099 form so you can file your taxes properly.