Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$® Plus

Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$® Plus provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid early educators working full-time with children birth through age two in North Carolina. If you’re just learning about the AWARD$ Plus program, be sure to check out the program overview, F.A.Q, and learn about the results AWARD$ Plus can provide. You’ll also find information on how to qualify and apply.


Get Started with AWARD$ Plus

Qualify

Do you know if you qualify for AWARD$ Plus? We make it easy with a list of applicant requirements and more.

Apply

Ready to apply? Use our application resources to get started.

Results

Learn more about the results that the AWARD$ Plus program provides. See facts and figures, and read testimonials from program participants.

Program Overview

Infant-Toddler Educator AWARD$® Plus provides education-based salary supplements to low-paid early educators working full-time with children birth through age two in North Carolina. Learn more about AWARD$ Plus funding.

Infant Toddler AWARD$® Plus is designed to increase the compensation, education and retention of teachers and family child care educators working with our youngest children.

Watch the video or download the PDF flyer to learn more! 

Watch the video for a quick, easy-to-follow overview of the AWARD$ Plus Program.
Watch the video for a quick, easy-to-follow overview of the AWARD$ Plus Program in Spanish.

AWARD$ 2022-2023 Impact

invested in AWARD$ salary supplements

3.1 M+

supplement recipients

1,483

average annual turnover rate

14%

average six-month supplement

$1,200

early education programs with supplement recipients

868

of active participants have the AAS ECE or higher or have submitted education during the year to document additional coursework

85%

Testimonials

  • The program has encouraged staff to pursue more education. The children will have more educated teachers and they will be less likely to seek other employment. Children will have more continuity of care.

    participating director

  • This supplement has increased the morale of the teachers and assisted them in furthering their education. Better morale and education cause the teachers to be better for the children in my program. I am well pleased with the results of this supplement.

    participating director

  • This supplement increases teacher pay, which of course helps to retain qualified early educators. This addition to their salary helps teachers earn more because they deserve more! The children benefit from a higher paid teacher in too many ways to count. Happy teachers equal happy kids!

    participating director

AWARD$ Plus News

  • Appreciating AWARD$ Plus: Doris Lee

    Doris Lee is a Dare County Early Childhood Professional and onsite Administrator of a 4 star licensed facility. She is a strong advocate for Early Childhood and strives every day to be an influential resource to her fellow teachers, the children and their families as she serves in the field. She wants to raise awareness about how child care needs are not being met, including fair compensation for early educators, and the resources that are not available. Doris said, “AWARD$ Plus allows me to be able to take care of my financial obligations along with my living expenses. Our line of work deserves competitive wages for teachers and administrators to feel appreciated and respected as they fight the good fight. Early childhood educators shouldn’t be financially struggling to maintain the basics of everyday life all because they chose to work with children.” 
    Continue reading Appreciating AWARD$ Plus: Doris Lee »
  • Appreciating AWARD$ Plus: Veronica Pigford

    Veronica Pigford loves working with two-year-olds, but she didn’t start with this age group. “I came here for a summer job when I was working in the public school system and I just fell in love with infants and toddlers,” Veronica said. “I love all the children, but I am so happy working with the twos. They love you so much. They cling to you. They appreciate you and are eager to learn new things. I really like being part of that.”
    Continue reading Appreciating AWARD$ Plus: Veronica Pigford »

See All News for AWARD$ Plus »


Have questions? We can help!

1-919-967-3272

Thank you for your interest in the AWARD$ Plus Program. When calling or leaving a voicemail, please reference AWARD$ Plus. You can also send us a message online. Mail paperwork to:

Child Care Services Association
Attn: AWARD$ Plus
PO Box 901
Chapel Hill, NC 27514