T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships

T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood® provides college scholarships to child care professionals to help them earn early childhood credentials and degrees.

This program works to increase the education levels of Colorado’s child care professionals, reduce turnover in the child care field and increase child care wages. Currently, T.E.A.C.H. programs are offered in 22 states throughout the country.

Please Note:This particular program is open to Colorado residents only. If you are from another state and are looking to see if your state has a T.E.A.C.H. program, contact the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (919) 967-3272

Download T.E.A.C.H Applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a need for this program in Colorado?
Who benefits?
Who is eligible?
What kind of commitments are recipients
required to make?
What kind of commitments are programs
required to make?
Where could I go to college and what kinds of classes would I take?
When and how do I apply?
How are scholarships funded?

Why is there a need for this program in Colorado? Research indicates that both higher education and specialized training in early childhood education are critical indicators of quality in a child’s care experience.

Who benefits?
Participants

Increase knowledge and skill level by enrolling in educational classes
Receive increased compensation for the completion of their coursework

Child Care Programs

Programs are able to maximize their staff development budgets
Experience reduced turnover, improving the quality and marketability of a program

Children

Consistent care is available and children are able to establish more relationships with providers who are committed to the field.
Benefit from the specialized training their provider has received. These providers tend to have a better understanding of child development and are more sensitive to the needs of young children.

Who is eligible?
Child care teachers, assistant teachers, family child care providers, and center directors who meet the criteria below:

Are employed full time (a minimum of 32 hours per week) in a licensed child care setting
Have worked at current child care program for at least one year by the start of the scholarship
Are earning less than $15/hour (teacher and assistants), or $20/hour (owners, directors, family child care providers) at the time of application
Are pursing an undergraduate Early Childhood degree, Early Childhood Credentials, Group Leader Qualification or Director Qualification

What kind of commitments are recipients
required to make?
Each recipient must pay a portion of the cost of the tuition, and must attend and successfully complete all courses. Recipients must remain at the sponsoring center for six months to one year following the scholarship year.

What kind of commitments are programs
required to make?
Programs are required to pay a portion of the tuition costs. Each program must reward a bonus upon completion of the scholarship requirements, and must give the recipient paid release time from work each week to attend classes or study (in some instances).

Where could I go to college and what kinds of classes would I take?
Each scholarship recipient works toward his or her own individual professional goals. T.E.A.C.H. has partnered with most colleges in the state to allow recipients the freedom of choice. To learn more about Colorado colleges, their early childhood curriculums, and the various credentials and degrees available to child care professionals visit the Smart Start Office of Professional Development website at www.smartstartcolorado.org

When and how do I apply?
Scholarships are offered in 6 and 12 credit formats and applications are accepted year-round. For more information, or if you have questions, contact the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Coordinator at:

Phone: (303) 339.6800 or 1-888-580.8994
Fax: 303.339.6834
Email:Teach@qualistar.org

How are scholarships funded?
T.E.A.C.H. scholarships are funded through the Division of Child Care, County and City Governments, Consolidated Child Care Pilots, The Head Start Collaboration Office and private foundations.