Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee

09/02/2026

Have you checked out our September newsletter yet? Learn about becoming a WAGE$ Warrior, professional development for ECEs, CDA amnesty, and MORE! Link in bio.

08/28/2026

When we invest in early childhood educators, the impact doesn’t stop with one person. It reaches an entire classroom — and beyond. 💚

When an educator receives the compensation and support they deserve, they’re more likely to stay in the field. And when experienced educators stay, children benefit from the consistency, relationships, and stability that help them feel secure and ready to learn.

That’s where Child Care WAGE$® Tennessee comes in. WAGE$ provides education-based salary supplements to eligible early childhood educators, helping strengthen the workforce and support the people who make quality child care possible every day.

✨ Support educators → strengthen classrooms → help children thrive → build a brighter future.

Because when we invest in one educator, the ripple effect can reach countless children, families, and communities. 💚

Learn more about Child Care WAGE$® Tennessee and see if you qualify today!

08/26/2026

Rest well, Dolly. 🦋❤ Her legacy lives on in her music, laughter, wit, and the endless lives she touched. Her dedication to early childhood literacy with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library changed the course of so many children's lives and will continue to do so. Let's all bring a little more of Dolly's spirit of love and giving to this world in her honor.

08/19/2026

“I have an adult son. When he was young, he had severe ADHD and I saw him struggle through school. I was limited as to how much I could help him because it was new at that point in time. I think that was an incentive for me to try and go into the early childhood education field and see if I could help other children based on the experience that I had.

The best thing about the WAGE$ program is that it’s encouraging people to stay in early childhood education. I've been in the field for 25 years, but you have some of the younger folks coming in and thinking, “Well, I can make more money doing something else,” even if this is the field that they want to stay in. That little bit of encouragement like this extra money will help them stay in this field and I think that's really important to recruit more young people.

WAGE$ helped with supplementing my classroom. That extra income could help me with buying extra things for the kids.

I would say to those who are considering the program, definitely do it. You have absolutely nothing to lose. It encourages you to continue your education. It's that little bonus that can help you stay in line financially in a field that doesn't pay all that high.”

-Daryl Lovell
Chattanooga, TN

08/13/2026

🎉 WE HAVE A WINNER! 🎉

Out of all the hilarious, sweet, and wonderfully unexpected things Tennessee’s little learners have said, Tracy Gorrell of McDonald, TN had the Kid Quip that made us laugh the hardest! 😂

🏆 Congratulations to Tracy, the WINNER of our Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee Kid Quips Funny Story Contest! Thank you to Tracy—and to every early childhood educator who submitted a story—for giving us a glimpse into the humor, joy, and unforgettable moments that make working with young children so special.

Help us congratulate Tracy in the comments below! And stay tuned for more funny stories from early childhood educators!

08/05/2026

Sometimes the biggest milestones arrive in the smallest moments. 💚

A child zipping their own jacket may seem simple, but it can represent growing confidence, coordination, problem-solving, and independence. Behind that moment is often an early childhood educator who patiently encouraged them to keep trying.

Educators, what “small moment” made you especially proud of a child recently? Share it in the comments so we can celebrate together! 👇✨

Because early childhood work is real work—and it creates a lifetime of meaningful progress.

07/31/2026

A calm classroom is built one intentional moment at a time. 💚

Maybe it’s greeting each child by name, keeping a predictable routine, creating a cozy calm-down space, or simply pausing to listen. Those small, consistent choices help children feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Educators, what is one thing you do every day to create a calm and welcoming classroom? Share your go-to strategy in the comments—we may all learn something new! 👇✨

07/17/2026

A child proudly saying, “I did it!” may sound like a small moment—but early childhood educators know just how much it can mean. 💚

Behind those three little words, confidence is building. Independence is growing. Persistence is taking root. And a child is learning to trust themselves and the caring educator cheering them on.

These moments don’t happen by accident. They are nurtured every day by skilled early childhood professionals.

What’s a small moment in your classroom that meant something big? Share it below! 👇

07/02/2026

Have you checked out our July newsletter yet? Learn about tips for heat safety, Independence Day for early learners, the real benefits of play, and MORE! Link in bio.

06/30/2026