Through a March 2021 ballot measure, Rhode Island voters approved the Early Childhood Care and Education Capital Fund, which dedicated over $13 million in one-time grant funding for physical improvements to existing child care spaces and for the development of new licensed early childhood care and education facilities. Grant funds can be used for costs associated with the design, construction, repair, renovation, rehabilitation, or other capital improvement or deferred maintenance of an eligible facility. The approved applicants include five expansion projects totaling more than $7.8 million and creating nearly 500 slots, plus 10 capital improvement projects totaling $700,000 and improving more than 700 childcare seats. Awards will be made until the fund is fully allocated. Learn more: Early Childhood Care & Education Capital Fund Sources:State of Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. (2022). Governor McKee Announces $8.5 Million in First Round Awardees from Early Childhood Care and Education Capital Fund. LISC. (n.d.). Early childhood care and education capital fund.

Established in 2009 and renewed in 2019, the Illinois Early Childhood Construction Grant (ECCG) Program is a state-sponsored initiative to invest in quality early childhood education facilities. In July 2022, Governor J.B. Pritzker committed $60 million in capital grants for early education providers through this program. The funding supports the construction, expansion, and renovation of facilities for early learning for children from birth to age five. Centers that plan to increase their capacity to provide care and education for children in underserved communities are eligible for up to $10 million under the Early Childhood Construction Grant. The centers must contribute from 3% to 10% of the cost. The ECCG Program is administered by the Capital Development Board (CDB), an independent state agency that oversees construction of state facilities and other public purpose capital projects. Grant funds must be used for non-recurring durable improvements, such as adding onto an existing building, new construction of a facility or renovations to an existing facility to create a new early childhood center, acquisition of a facility, purchase or replacement of equipment, safety improvements, and classroom conversions. In 2024, through Senate Bill 2675, the Illinois General Assembly expanded eligibility for the Early Childhood Construction Grant Program to nonprofit early childhood providers that rent or lease from another nonprofit entity.  Learn More: Early Childhood Construction Grant Program Sources: IFF. (2022). Frequently Asked Questions: Illinois Early Childhood Construction Grant Program.Illinois Capital Development Board. (2022). Governor Pritzker Announces $60 Million Competitive Grant Program for Early Childhood Construction in Illinois.

Since 2017, the Philadelphia Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program has been led by the District 1199c Training & Upgrading Fund. Partner organizations include the Community College of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley Association for the Education of Young Children. The program supports apprentices by helping them earn college credits and participate in classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and mentorship. It receives public workforce development funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Training Fund began developing its apprenticeship model in 2015, and the organization produces guides for replication. Learn more: District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund Sources: Early Childhood Action Collective. (n.d.). Philadelphia Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program. EditSign District 1199C Training and Upgrading Fund. (n.d.). Program Replication Tool Kit.

In 2022, voters in New Orleans, LA, passed a property tax levy that, along with state matching funds, will provide early childhood education to 2,000 children from low-income households annually. The campaign won a 5 millage property tax that will raise $21 million in the first year and will be doubled by the state’s matching fund. The program will provide child and family support services, coaching and professional development for teachers, and expand the supply of quality early learning centers. Learn more: Early Childhood education millage Sources: Children's Funding Project. (2022). New Orleans, LA’s Early Childhood Education Millage.

Established in 2021, the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Apprenticeship is a partnership between the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE), Wallace State Community College, Troy Univesity-Dothan, and Athens State University to increase opportunities to enter the early education workforce. Students can train in early education programs in 15 counties. The ECE Apprenticeship provides on-the-job training with a mentor, and participants complete related technical instruction from institutions of higher education. Apprentices can obtain stackable credentials, including a Child Development Associate certification, an associate degree, and/or a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, all while employed with a child care provider. Apprentices pay no cost to participate, and they earn progressive wage increases while they are learning. To offset the cost of the apprenticeship for the employer, all apprentices submit a FAFSA and apply for TEACH scholarships, Leadership in Childcare Scholarships, and C3 Scholarships. They also work with a business service representative to seek additional funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other grants. Any remaining costs are covered by ADECE and the Coleman Center for Early Learning and Family Enrichment at Troy University. Learn More: Alabama Works! Sources: Alabama Works!. (n.d.). Alabama's first apprenticeship for early educators established. WAFF. (2023). Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship program could help combat Alabama’s teacher shortage.

Early Childhood Educator INCENTIVE$ Florida provides supplemental pay to early childhood educators based on their education level and commitment to their early education program. INCENTIVE$ is designed to retain early childhood educators 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. Bonuses range from $450 to $5,000 per educator per year, with an average payment of $2,472. Amounts increase as educators obtain more formal education, and educators must remain in their early education program for at least six months to qualify for an award. According to the INCENTIVE$ program, "data show that INCENTIVE$ participants who continuously increase their education levels are more likely to remain with their employer. Data also show the turnover rate among participants is only 10% annually, compared to the national average of 30-40% each year." This program is part of the national Child Care WAGE$ Program and is currently available in select counties across the state. The Child Care WAGE$ Program supports educators and directors in center-based, family child care, and other licensed child care programs serving children from birth to 5 years old. Learn More: Florida Early Childhood Educator INCENTIVE$ Sources: Children's Forum. (n.d.). Early Childhood Educator INCENTIVE$. Children's Forum. (2022). Early Learning & Afterschool Career Pathways.

In 2022, the Washington DC City Council authorized the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to disburse funds that would create pay parity between community-based early educators and educators teaching in the DC Public Schools. In its first phase, the fund is disbursing quarterly payments to close the gap between an educator's current salary and a starting public-school salary. The amount depends on educators’ roles (lead vs. assistant teacher) and whether they work full or part time. Educators are eligible for payments in the following amounts:

• Full-time lead teacher: $14,000 per year, disbursed quarterly
• Part-time lead teacher: $7,000 per year, disbursed quarterly
• Full-time assistant teacher: $10,000 per year, disbursed quarterly
• Part-time assistant teacher: $5,000 per year, disbursed quarterly

In the initiative's second phase, which is expected to begin in late 2023, educators will be paid according to a salary scale or adjusted base amount for reimbursement to programs. Educators who serve children from low-income families will receive higher payments. Education levels will also be used to determine payment amounts. This program is funded through a city tax on high-earning individuals. learn more: early childhood educator pay equity fund Sources:DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. (n.d.). Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund DC City Council. (2022). Final Report of the Early Childhood Educator Equitable Compensation Task Force. Berman, E. (2023). D.C. Is Giving Preschool Teachers A Pay Bump. Here’s How It’s Making A Difference To Them. DCist. Greenberg, E., Nelson, V., Doromal, J. B., Sandstrom, J., Bose, S., & Lauderback, E. (2023, June). Toward Pay Equity A Case Study of Washington, DC’s Wage Boost for Early Childhood Educators. Urban Institute.

In September 2021, at the direction of Governor Janet Mills, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) implemented stipends for child care workers using federal relief funding. In October 2022, following the passage of a state budget provision championed by Governor Mills, DHHS continued the $200 per worker per month stipends.  In November 2023, Governor Mills announced a third round of wage stipend increases, funded through the biennial budget. This historic budget doubled state funding for the stipends to $30 million annually. The new monthly stipends, effective as of November 2023, increased to $275 for the first tier of child care workers, $415 for the second tier, and $625 for the third tier, with the tiers based on education and experience. DHHS will also issue an extra $100 per month to child care workers in the third tier to compensate for the additional amount they are owed retroactive to the start of the state fiscal year.  learn more: Early Childhood Educator Workforce Salary Supplement System  Sources: Office of Governor Janet T. Mills. (2024, January 5). Mills Administration Issues Pay Increases to Child Care Workers. Office of Governor Janet T. Mills. (2023, July 11). Governor Mills Signs Historic Budget Into Law. Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, Chapter 1052-A, Section 3737-A. (2025).

In 2005, the Massachusetts Legislature created the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program to increase the quality and availability of teachers and care providers who work with young children. Initially a pilot initiative, the program provides financial assistance to early childhood educators and out-of-school time providers who enroll in a certificate, associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree program in an approved area of study. Scholarships are funded using state general funds; in FY 2024-25, the Massachusetts Legislature appropriated $7.5 million for the program, which is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the Department of Early Education and Care.  The Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program awards students between $3,150 and $6,750 per semester, depending on the type of institution they attend. Recipients must be employed as educators or providers in a licensed early education and care program, including family child care, center-based, and out-of-school time programs. They must also agree to continue working as early childhood educators in Massachusetts after completing the degree (a six-month commitment for each semester of aid they receive); if they don’t, they must repay the award.   learn more: early childhood educators scholarship program Sources: Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Office of Student Financial Assistance. (n.d.). Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program. Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Office of Student Financial Assistance. (n.d.). Early Childhood Educators (ECE) Scholarship Program Student Guide. Board of Higher Education. (n.d.). Early Childhood Educators' Scholarship Program.

Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) provides free professional learning and resources to support Illinois State Board of Education-funded programs in implementing evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for young children and their families. It offers workshops, webinars, technical assistance, and coaching for professionals working with children from birth to 5 years old. It is funded by the Early Childhood Block Grant and Illinois State Board of Education. Illinois also offers other resources to its early education workforce, including individualized coaching. Learn more: Illinois Early Education Professional Development and Resources Sources: Illinois State Board of Education. (n.d.). Illinois Early Education Professional Development and Resources. Illinois State Board of Education. (n.d.). Early Childhood Professional Development.

In November 2022, using $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Milwaukee created a stipend program for early childhood professionals employed in the city’s child care programs. The Milwaukee Succeeds Early Childhood Coalition initially advocated for the program, which was then facilitated by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association.  All Milwaukee early education professionals in direct caregiving roles and employed in group or family child care programs licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families were eligible for an annual stipend of $1,500, distributed in three installments over the course of a calendar year. The program wrapped up in early 2025.   In 2023, the wage stipend program reached over 1,900 educators in Milwaukee.   learn more: early childhood workforce wage stipend program Sources: Milwaukee Succeeds. (2022, November). Early Educator Wage Stipend Launches in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Succeeds. (2023, February). First Round of Early Educator Stipends Awarded. White, A. (2022). An Equitable Recovery Starts With Early Childhood: How Cities Are Leveraging ARPA SLFRF to Support Young Children and Families. National League of Cities. City of Milwaukee City Clerk Communications Center. (2022, December 1). Applications now being accepted for Early Childhood Workforce Stipend Program. Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. (n.d.). City of Milwaukee Early Childhood Workforce Stipend Program.

In 2013, as part of a $1.4 billion capital projects bond bill, the Massachusetts Legislature authorized a $45 million Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund to improve center-based child care facilities through small- and large-scale capital projects.  The program is administered by the Department of Early Education and Care in partnership with the Children’s Investment Fund (CIF), an affiliate of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation. Eligible licensed programs can apply for grants for a variety of improvements, including updates for classrooms and bathrooms, facility expansion, emergency repairs, and modifications to improve air quality. Programs can apply for small grants, which offer recipients between $200,000 and $500,000, or large grants, which provide up to $1 million.  In November 2023, Governor Maura Healey announced $14.3 million to support the EEOST Capital Fund, including $6.8 million from the Healey Administration’s FY24–28 Capital Investment Plan and $7.5 million from the early education and care provider capital grant funding delivered in the FY2024 state budget.   In June 2024, the Healey administration announced the Family Child Care Capital Grant program and made $2.5 million available to home-based providers. The program is administered by the Department of Early Education and Care and MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank. Providers who are homeowners can apply for up to $25,000 to purchase and install new equipment, improve site security, expand facilities, or upgrade outdoor areas, among other things.  Since the first round of grant funding in FY14, the state has invested $61 million in 130 projects.  learn more: Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Grants Sources: Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.). Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Grants. Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. (2023). Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches $14.3 Million Grant Program for Renovations at Child Care Programs Serving Low-Income Families. Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. (2023). Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens $4 Million for Large Scale Renovations at Early Education and Out-of-School Time Programs. The Associated Press. (2013). Mass. State House Panel OKs $1.4M Affordable Housing Bill.