The Child Care WAGE$® Program was created in North Carolina in 1994 in response to research showing that the quality of care children receive is lowered by high turnover rates and inadequate teacher education.
Timeline
1989 — Recommendation for salary supplement program from first child care
workforce study completed in N.C.
1994 — Pilot for 99 participants awarded WAGE$ salary supplements in Orange County, N.C.
1994–1999 — WAGE$ experiences gradual growth across N.C.
1999 — WAGE$ becomes a statewide opportunity in N.C.
2001 — Initial state awarded WAGE$ License
2019 — WAGE$ operating in six states; 25 years of Child Care WAGE$® celebrated