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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Great START Wage Supplement Program
- What is the Great START Program?
Great START (Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers) rewards child care and school-age care practitioners by supplementing their income based on education they have attained above the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) licensing standards. Great START helps a program maintain employees, which increases quality and consistent care for children without raising parent fees. The Great START Program is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA), and funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development.
- Who is eligible to apply for the Great START Program?
Practitioners working in an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensed full-day/full-year (8 hours per day; 47 weeks per year) child care center, Early Head Start/Head Start, or family/group child care home are eligible to apply. Also included are IDCFS licensed full-year school-age care programs.
Practitioners must also be working in one of the following positions in IDCFS licensed programs:
- Family Child Care Provider, Family Child Care Assistant, Group Home Provider, Group Home Assistant
- Center Staff: Director, Assistant Director, Teacher, Assistant Teacher, School-Age Teacher, School-Age Assistant
- What other eligibility requirements are there?
Great START recipients must:
- Care for Illinois children.
- Have been employed at current center or home, for a minimum of one year.
- Work 15 hours or more per week on a continuous employment basis (includes work and benefit time).
- Meet wage requirements.
- Be a citizen of the United States or legal alien.
- Can I use Great START and Gateways Scholarship Program at the same time?
Yes—Great START builds on and compliments the Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program. The Gateways Scholarship Program assists child care and school-age care practitioners with attaining more education. Great START rewards those who have attained education above IDCFS licensing standards and remain employed at the same program.
- How do I read the Great START Wage Supplement Scale?
If you need assistance in reading the Great START Wage Supplement Scale, please contact a Great START Counselor toll-free at (866) 697-8278.
- What if I apply at the wrong level/option?
Counselors will adjust levels/options applied for based on information provided.
- How do I apply for the program?
Click here for applications and information on how to apply or visit the Gateways Web site at www.ilgateways.com. You may also call (866) 697-8278 for assistance. Applicants must submit required documentation along with a Participant Application and Great START Supplement Application. Additional documentation may be required upon review of your applications.
- How long may I participate in the Great START Program?
You may participate in the program as long as you continue to meet all Great START Program eligibility requirements.
- What is a “Renewal” and when is it due?
“Renewals” are applications to the Great START Wage Supplement Program, which occur every six months following initial application to the program. Renewal schedules are as follows:
| Renewal Months |
| Original Eligibility Month |
Renewal Month (6-month cycle) |
| January |
July |
| February |
August |
| March |
September |
| April |
October |
| May |
November |
| June |
December |
- How will I know when it is time for my Renewal?
You will receive an e-mail or mailed notification 15 days prior to your renewal month.
- What happens if I fail to submit my Renewal Application in a timely manner?
Your Renewal Application must be postmarked by the last day of your renewal processing month. For example: if your Renewal month is in July, your renewal application must be postmarked by July 31st.
- How will I know if my application has been received?
Applications are processed in the order received. You will be notified within 15 business days of receipt of your application. Applicants who fail to submit the required documentation will be notified by phone or mail. Applicants have 90 days from submission of an application to provide required documentation. Additional information and documentation may be requested upon review of an application.
- What does it mean if my check will be “prorated?”
You must work 15 hours or more a week to be eligible to receive a Great START wage supplement. Supplements are prorated according to the hours worked in a week. Applicants who work 30 hours a week or more are eligible to receive a full wage supplement payment. Applicants who work less than 30 hours a week will receive wage supplement payments at a prorated amount. Please refer to the table below for the full prorated wage supplement amounts.
Great START Wage Supplement
Scale Levels |
Working 15–19 Hours a Week |
Working 20–24 Hours a Week |
Working 25–29 Hours a Week |
| 1 |
$37.50 |
$75.00 |
$112.50 |
| 2 |
$56.25 |
$112.50 |
$168.75 |
| 3 |
$93.75 |
$187.50 |
$281.25 |
| 4 |
$131.25 |
$262.50 |
$393.75 |
| 5 |
$168.75 |
$337.50 |
$506.25 |
| 6 |
$206.25 |
$412.50 |
$618.75 |
| 7 |
$243.75 |
$487.50 |
$731.25 |
| 8 |
$300.00 |
$600.00 |
$900.00 |
| 9 |
$393.75 |
$787.50 |
$1181.25 |
| 10 |
$487.50 |
$975.00 |
$1462.50 |
- When will I receive my payment?
Upon receipt of funding from IDHS, checks will be issued.
- Do training hours and/or experience in the field count towards the Great START Program?
No—The Great START Program wage supplements are based upon formal education (college coursework from an accredited institution) in early childhood education and child development.
- How do I receive a higher wage supplement?
Applicants who complete additional college coursework may “move up” on the wage supplement scale and receive a higher wage supplement. You may apply to the Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program to help pay for additional college coursework. Official transcripts must be submitted at time of renewal application to move up on the wage supplement scale and receive a higher wage supplement.
- What is an “official transcript?”
An official transcript is a transcript in a sealed envelope from the college or university. The applicant should not open this envelope. Copies of foreign evaluations may be accepted, but only from the following evaluation services found here.
- What happens if I leave (quit) my child care, school-age care, or family/group home program?
If you leave (quit) your program, please notify your Great START Counselor immediately. To be eligible again for Great START, you will need to be employed in a new program for one full year. (A program is defined as one physical site that is licensed by IDCFS.)
- What happens if my child care, school-age care, or family/group home program closes?
If the program where you are employed closes, you will have 90 days from the program’s closing date to find employment in early care and education or school-age care to remain eligible for the Great START Program.
- What happens if I close my family/group home program?
If the program you own and operate closes, please notify your Great START Counselor immediately. To be eligible again for Great START, you will need to be employed in a new program for one full year. (A program is defined as one physical site that is licensed by IDCFS.)
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