WHAT IS THE T.E.A.C.H. EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

The T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Scholarship Program:

• Links training, compensation and commitment to improving the quality of early childhood care and education experiences for young children and their families.

• Provides scholarships for early childhood caregivers and center directors to work toward earning an A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a CDA equivalency or a Director Credential.

• Involves a partnership for the sharing of expenses by the caregiver receiving the scholarship, the sponsoring child care center or family child care home and the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship program.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?

Child care center teachers, family child care home providers and center directors who meet the following criteria may be eligible for a scholarship:

• Florida residency.

• A high school diploma or GED.

• Employment in an early childhood center (licensed or exempt) or family child care home (licensed or registered) 20 hours per week minimum.

• Support of their sponsoring early childhood program.

WHAT COMMITMENTS ARE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS REQUIRED TO MAKE?

Early childhood programs agree to sponsor a scholarship recipient by:

• Contributing a portion of the cost of tuition and sometimes books.

• In some scholarship models, giving the participating recipient paid release time each week (T.E.A.C.H. reimburses the center for a part of that cost).

• In most scholarship models, awarding the participant a bonus or raise upon completion of the contract requirements.

WHAT COMMITMENTS ARE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS REQUIRED TO MAKE?

Scholarship recipients must:

• Attend classes and successfully complete courses.

• Pay a portion of the cost of tuition and books.

• Agree to remain in the sponsoring early childhood program or family child care home for a period of time following completion of the contract (typically one year).

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT DOES THE T.E.A.C.H. PROGRAM PROVIDE?
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship program provides:

• The majority of the cost of tuition and books.

• A per semester travel stipend for most participants.

• A bonus for caregivers and directors who complete their contract.

• Counseling and administrative support for the program.

• In some scholarship models, reimbursement to the early childhood program or family child care home for the release time given participants.

WHO BENEFITS FROM T.E.A.C.H.?

• Child care programs benefit by having staff members who are more knowledgeable about good early childhood practices. Programs will experience reduced turnover, which increases the quality and marketability of the program.

• Teachers, directors and family child care providers increase their knowledge as they attend classes and are better compensated through participation in the program. In turn, they experience increased professional status and job satisfaction.

• Children are the main beneficiaries of the T.E.A.C.H. program. Children benefit by having consistent caregivers with a commitment to the field. They benefit from caregivers who are specialists in early childhood education, who understand child development and who are sensitive to the needs of very young children.

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
To receive additional information and scholarship applications contact us at:

T.E.A.C.H.: (850) 487-6302
TOLL FREE: 877-FL-TEACH (877-358-3224)
FAX: (850) 410-0394
lstegmeyer@fcforum.org