In April 2000, the Kentucky Legislature passed HB 706, which created the Early Childhood Development Scholarship Program as part of the KIDS NOW initiative. The program supports child care workers seeking to advance their professional skills and qualifications in early childhood education.
The Early Childhood Development Scholarship program is a collaboration between the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood. To qualify, individuals must be employed at least 20 hours per week in a licensed child care program, including Type 1 and Type 2 settings or certified family homes:
- Type 1: licensed childcare centers serving four or more children in a non-residential location
- Type 2: Facilities or home-based programs serving seven to twelve children in a non-residential setting or a certified home-based childcare
In 2021, Kentucky expanded the program using new funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a three-year, $1.9 trillion federal relief package.
As of the 2024-25 school year, eligible students can receive up to $6,751 per semester for tuition and fees. Participants may pursue the following credentials or degrees: Child Development Associate (CDA), an associate degree in early childhood education, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education, or the Kentucky Early Childhood Director Credential and Certificate.
Sources:
HB 706: Early Childhood Development Act, Chapter 308. (2000, April). Kentucky Legislature.
KRS 164.518. (2013). Kentucky Legislature.
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. (n.d.). Scholarships and Grants.
Commonwealth of Kentucky. (2021, October 28). Early Childhood Development Scholarship.
Kentucky Office of the Governor. (2021, June 24). Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Child Care Providers Awarded $763 Million in Federal Funds.
Connections to Key Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) Findings:
The early education workforce is the foundation upon which all daily work and any expansion and quality improvement efforts rest. Research suggests that states and cities should invest in the workforce across all early education setting types, focusing on enhancing educators’ professional learning, compensation, and workplace conditions.
Findings from the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) show:
- Early educators play a critical role in supporting the well-being of young children and families across setting types.
- Yet their pay, benefits, and other professional supports are often inadequate in light of the job demands and their cost of living.