Childcare Professionals Now Eligible For $1000 Bonus

Applications open today for a bipartisan $350 million grant program to support childcare businesses and provide bonuses for thousands of childcare professionals.  
 
LANSING, Mich. Nov. 8 — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the launch of the Child Care Stabilization Grant that will distribute $350 million in grants to give every full-time childcare professional a $1,000 bonus and keep childcare programs open and serving kids.  
 
 “Childcare is the backbone of a strong economy, “said the Governor. “Childcare professionals and programs go above and beyond every day to care for our kids, helping them learn and grow in a safe environment,” 
 
With the Child Care Stabilization Grant application now open, licensed childcare providers are eligible to apply and should visit Michigan.gov/childcare to review frequently asked questions and apply. Childcare professionals will be awarded bonuses directly from their employer and do not need to apply. 
 
“Childcare professionals are trusted to help our youngest children learn and grow, but their compensation doesn’t reflect the value they bring to our children and communities,”   said Kimberly Zehnder, owner of EduPlay Discovery Center in Frankenmuth. “Most teacher’s assistants make a little over minimum wage because that is all that the programs can afford.  I’m grateful these grants include bonus pay for childcare professionals because they work very hard caring for our littlest learners. Parents need us so that they can keep working, and it breaks my heart to hear of good programs closing, and parents unable to find care.”