Great START Wage Supplemental Scale

Great START is available to Assistants, Teachers, Family Child Care Providers, Family Group Home Providers and Directors who work in programs licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS).

All Levels and Options are available for funding.

 

Level Option Education Eligibility (2) Wage Supplement (3)
16 semester (9 quarter) hours in ECE/CD (1)A/FCC$150.00
2ACDAA/FCC$225.00
2BCCPA/FCC
2CMontessori Credential (AMS or AMI) (4)A/FCC
2D12 semester (18 quarter) hours towards a degree
(9 semester hours in ECE/CD)
A/FCC
3A24 semester (36 quarter) hours towards an
Associate's Degree in ECE/CD
A/FCC/G$375.00
3B24 semester (36 quarter) hours towards a degree in a related field (9 semester hours in ECE/CD)A/FCC/G
3CCDA/CCP/Montessori Credential + 12 semester
(18 quarter) hours towards a degree
A/FCC/G/T
4AApproved Community College Early Childhood
Certificate
A/FCC/G$525.00
4B36 semester (54 quarter) hours towards an Associate’s Degree in ECE/CEA/FCC/G
4C36 semester (54 quarter) hours towards a degree
in related field (12 semester hours in ECE/CD)
A/FCC/G
5A48 semester (72 quarter) hours towards an
Associate's Degree in ECE/CD
A/FCC/G$675.00
5B48 semester (72 quarter) hours towards a degree
in related field (15 semester hours in ECE/CD)
A/FCC/G
5CAssociate's degree with non-ECE/CD major
(15 semester [22 quarter] hours in ECE/CD)
A/FCC/G/T
5D60 semester (90 quarter) hours towards a degree
in unrelated field (15 semester hours in ECE/CD)
A/FCC/G/T
6AAssociate's Degree in ECE/CDA/FCC/G/T/D$825.00
6BAssociate's degree in any field with 18 semester
(27 quarter) hours in ECE/CD; (21 semester
hours for Directors)
A/FCC/G/T/D
6C60 semester (90 quarter) hours towards a degree
in ECC or related field (15 semester hours ECE/CD; 21 semester hours for Directors)
A/F/CC/G/T/D
6D90 semester (134 quarter) hours towards a degree
in an unrelated field (15 semester hours in ECE/CD; 21 semester hours for Directors)
A/FCC/G/T/D
6EIllinois Director Credential (IDC) Level IA/FCC/G/T/D
7A72 semester (107 quarter) hours towards Bachelor's Degree in ECE/CD (18 semester hours in ECE/CD; 21 semester hours for Directors)A/FCC/G/T/D



$975.00
7B90 semester (134 quarter) hours towards a bachelor's degree in related field (18 semester hours in ECE/CD; 21 semester hours for Directors)A/FCC/G/T/D
7CBachelor's degree in unrelated field (18 semester
[27 quarter] hours in ECE/CD; 21 semester hours
for Directors)
A/FCC/G/T/D
8A90 semester (134 quarter) hours towards a Bachelor's Degree in ECE/CD (24 semester [36 quarter] hours in ECE/CD)A/FCC/G/T/D$1,200.00
8BBachelor's degree in related field (24 semester [36
quarter] hours in ECE/CD)
A/FCC/G/T/D
8CBachelor's degree in unrelated field (30 semester
[45 quarter] hours in ECE/CD)
A/FCC/G/T/D
8DIllinois Director Credential (IDC) Level IIA/FCC/G/T/D
9ABachelor's Degree in ECE/CEA/FCC/G/T/D$1,575.00
9BMaster's degree in unrelated field (30 semester [45 quarter] hours in ECE/CD)A/FCC/G/T/D
10AMaster's Degree in ECE/CDA/FCC/G/T/D$1,950.00
10BIllinois Director Credential (IDC) Level IIIA/FCC/G/T/D

 

(1) ECE=Early Childhood Education; CD=Child Development

(2) A=Assistant; FCC=Family Child Care Provider; G=Family Group Provider; T=Teacher; D=Director

  • A person is only eligible at a level if their job category is shown in the “Eligibility” column.
  • A person will only be eligible at a level if they meet the educational requirements listed at that level.

(3) Wage supplements are paid in six-month increments. Wage Supplements will be pro-rated if you work 15–29 hours per week.

(4) Montessori credentials from American Montessori Society or Association Montessori International.

  • All ECE/CD courses must be passed with a “C” or higher.
  • Credentials other than those listed may be evaluated to determine eligibility as it applies to your current position.
  • Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an evaluation service. The Great START office can assist you in locating one of these services.
 

 

Gateways to Opportunity is funded by public and private support including the McCormick Foundation, the Grand Victoria Foundation,    


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