Launched in 2021, the Wage Supplement Program, an initiative of Oklahoma Human Services Child Care Services, provides supplemental pay to early educators and directors across the state. This program is designed to retain early education professionals and support their professional development; in turn, this creates a more stable workforce with the skills needed to support young children’s healthy learning and development. Supplements range from $400 to $2,000 per educator or director per year. To be eligible, educators and directors must serve in a licensed child care setting with a two-star quality rating or higher, participate in the state professional development ladder or maintain a director’s credential, work a minimum of 30 hours per week providing or supporting child care, and remain at their program for a minimum of 6 months.
Sources:
Oklahoma Center for Early Childhood Professional Development. (2022). Child Care Wage Supplement.
Oklahoma Center for Early Childhood Professional Development. (2022). Wage Supplement Scale.
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.