Thousands of North Carolina child care workers could receive additional money under an $11.3 million expansion of a state salary supplement program.
Gov. Josh Stein announced the three-year expansion Thursday. It will cover 39 counties affected by Hurricane Helene, including several across the Charlotte region.
Workers in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties are among those covered by the expansion. Eligible workers in 36 counties already participating in Child Care WAGE$ are expected to receive an additional annual incentive averaging about $1,350 per participant.
“Early childhood educators are unsung heroes, and their work is absolutely vital to the economic recovery of western North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “By putting money directly into the pockets of these dedicated educators, we help retain talent and ensure parents can go to work knowing their children are safe, learning, and thriving.”
Applications in those three counties opened this month. The first supplement checks are expected to become widely available by spring 2027.
Child Care WAGE$ provides direct supplements to qualifying early childhood teachers, directors, family child care providers and other classroom staff. The program targets lower-paid employees working with children from birth through age 5.
In Ashe, Madison and Watauga counties, applicants must earn no more than $25 per hour. They must work at least 10 hours per week with young children in a licensed child care program and meet education requirements.
The state says the supplements are designed to reduce turnover in an industry that has struggled to retain workers.
Among WAGE$ participants, turnover was 14% in 2026. A 2023 statewide workforce study found an overall child care workforce turnover rate of 38%, according to the governor’s office.
The program dates back to 1994 and ties larger supplements to increased early childhood education credentials.
Funding for the expansion comes from a $75 million federal disaster award North Carolina received for child care recovery following Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. The money came through the American Relief Act’s Disaster Supplemental Funds for Child Care.
For the Charlotte region, the new funding could put additional money directly into the pockets of child care workers while helping centers retain employees.
The local counties covered by the annual incentive include Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Stanly and Union. Cleveland and Catawba counties are also included in the expanded program.
