Career and Wage Ladder

The Career and Wage Ladder provides financial incentives for child care providers to increase their training and education. Research shows that high-quality child care settings have teachers who are well-educated, well-paid and who remain at their jobs for long periods of time.

First funded by the Washington State Legislature in 2000, the Career and Wage Ladder enhances the quality of child care because providers have an increased understanding of child development, and better pay, thus decreasing turnover for participating center staff. The program authorizes wage increments based on the child care worker's education. Participating centers pay annual wage increases.

The Department of Early Learning contracts with 72 child care centers statewide. More than 700 child care providers have participated in this program.