We're working to improve the quality of child care for Wake County's children.

Wake County SmartStart's strategies improve child care in the following areas:

• teacher education, compensation and retention
• consultation services to child care centers and family care homes in areas of curriculum, rating increases, environments, safety, sanitation and nutrition guidelines.
• child care subsidy to high quality child care centers for low-income working families who earn less than 75 percent of median income.
• Pre-kindergarten readiness for at risk 4-year-olds

Partner Agency and Funded Program Listing

Child Care Financial Assistance for Families ( Subsidy )

Payments for child care in high quality 3,4,5-star child care settings, bonuses for 4 and 5 star child care centers and family care homes.

Education-based Compensation for Early Childhood Educators (WAGE$®)

Salary supplements for child care providers who remain in a child care setting and increase education level.

Health, Safety and Nutrition Technical Assistance in Child Care Settings

Consulation to improve health safety and nutrition practices in child care settings.

More at Four

High quality pre-kindergarten program for at-risk 4-year-olds.

Professional Development Planning for Child Care Centers

Consultation and mentoring to assist child care providers who remain in a child care settings.

Quality Enhancement/Maintenance and Grants in Child Care Centers

Consulatation/technical assistance and grants to improve quality (star rating) in child care centers.

Quality Enhancement/Maintenance and Grants in Family Care Homes

Consultation/technical assistance and grants to improve quality (star rating) in family care homes.

Substitute Support in Child Care Settings

Substitute teachers for providers who attend college courses or who take time off.

Supporting Children's Transition to Kindergarten

Short term activities to prepare children/families for kindergarten.