GEORGIA () – Georgia child care teachers and staff will soon receive strong recognition of their ongoing hard work and commitment: a $500 bonus.

As part of its continuing dedication to improving quality early child care, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is launching a new initiative – Quality Rated Workforce Bonuses (QRWB) – to distribute an annual bonus to eligible staff members at Quality Rated Child Care providers.

The initiative begins this month and is among the first of its kind in the nation.

The payments are a commitment by DECAL to reward and recognize full-time teachers and support staff who help their programs deliver care and education that exceed minimum standards and earn 1, 2 or 3 stars under Quality Rated, the state’s quality rating and improvement system.

The bonuses are available to all on-site teaching and support staff at Quality Rated child care programs, with each staff member eligible to receive one payment per year.

To learning more or to see if you’re eligible, click here.