Workforce Compensation
The goal of DEC’s Workforce Compensation Strategy is to ensure that all educators working in Early Learning For All Centers and FCCs earn a living wage and that educator pay increases commensurate with educational attainment, qualifications, and experience. Our compensation programs also consider the percentage of low-income families being served to equitably promote educator retention at our highest need early learning sites.
We accomplish this through two programs:
CARES 3.0 provides eligible educators with twice annual stipends to augment their salaries. Stipend amounts range from $4,000-$39,000 per year depending on program demographics, full- or part-time employment schedule, and teacher qualifications. Educators apply directly to DEC and are paid each Spring and Fall.
EESSG provides grants to early care and education agencies that serve at least 50% low-income families. Agency administrators, working in collaboration with their staff and DEC, administer grant funding to increase eligible educators’ salaries to a minimum of $28/hour with the potential to earn up to $39.27/hour depending on education and qualifications.
The funding type teachers receive is based on the program type they are working in and the percentage of subsidy-eligible children being served.
Orange Tier
Centers and FCCs serving up to 19% of subsidy-eligible children
Eligibility:
FCC educators – Apply for a CARES 3.0 stipend
Center Teachers – Apply for a CARES 3.0 stipend
Blue Tier
Centers and FCCs serving between 20-49% of subsidy-eligible children
Eligibility:
FCC educators – Apply for a CARES 3.0 stipend
Center Teachers – Apply for a CARES 3.0 stipend
Green Tier
Centers and FCCs serving 50% and above of subsidy-eligible children
Eligibility:
FCC educators – Apply for a CARES 3.0 stipend
Center Teachers – Receive an ongoing wage increase in their paycheck directly from their employer via the Early Educator Salary Support Grant
Who is Eligible?
All Early Learning For All centers and Family Child Care programs are eligible to receive support through the Workforce Compensation Initiative.
How Much Do Educators Receive?
All eligible educators will receive a wage increase. Funding amounts are based on a combination of the number of subsidy eligible children being served in the program, position/title, responsibilities, education (degree and/or ECE units and/or teaching permit), and whether full-time or part-time.
Education Verification
Educators must have their transcripts uploaded to their California ECE Workforce Registry account and verified by the California ECE Workforce Registry. Degrees related to early education and ECE units will be considered when determining funding amounts for each educator.
For all educators eligible for DEC compensation support through either a stipend or an Early Educator Salary Support Grant at the center they are employed in, make sure to:
- Upload any documents (degree transcripts, ECE transcripts, and permit information) that are not currently verified by the Registry (making sure that the Registry verifies all self-reported information)
- Review employment information to ensure that title/position, wage, and hours per week are all up to date
For administrators of Green Tier centers receiving the Early Educator Salary Support Grant, make sure to:
- Confirm that at least one administrative staff member has employer administrative access on the Registry
- Review staff report to confirm what information has been verified for each staff member (degree, ECE units, permit level, etc.)
- Review staff employment information and update if needed staff including:
- Title/position
- Wage information
- Hours worked per week
- Employment verified
Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
For more information about uploading transcripts to the California ECE Workforce registry please click the link below.