Professional Development
Grants & Bonuses

Find the Support For Professional Growth

VTAEYC administers the VT Child Development Division professional development grants and bonuses. Click below to apply for a grant or for more information on available grants & bonuses.

For assistance with your application, for additional program information, or to request a pdf copy of your completed application, please reach out to pdsupports@vtaeyc.org.

Early Childhood & Afterschool Professional Recognition Grace Period Bonuses

The Child Development Division and VTAEYC are excited to announce a temporary, time-limited grace period for those who have earned an Early Childhood Level Certificate or a Vermont Afterschool Professional Development Certificate/Credential since 2018 but didn’t receive a bonus.  

The grace period temporarily waives the requirement that early childhood and afterschool educators complete Level Certificate applications and qualifying credentials within two years of completing their education. All other eligibility criteria must be met.

If you have never applied before for an Early Childhood Level Certificate, a Vermont Afterschool Certificate/Credential, or are eligible to apply for a higher Level, the two-year requirement is also waived. 

The grace period will extend until July 2024 or this pool of bonus funds has been exhausted; whichever comes first.

Early Childhood Education
Staff Grants

CDA Assessment Fee Grant

This grant assists registered providers and licensed center staff with the assessment fee to attain the Child Development Associate (CDA).

College Tuition Grant

This grant assists registered providers and licensed center staff with the cost of college courses that relate to working with children and families.

GED Assessment Fee Grant

This grant is for Vermont residents working in a regulated child care program to assist with the cost of taking a GED test(s).

Peer Review Assessment Fee
Grant

This grant assists registered providers and licensed center staff with the peer review assessment fee for VT Department of Education licensure.

Vermont early childhood and afterschool educators can access an Early Childhood/Afterschool Professional Recognition Bonus for each level they achieve
on the Northern Lights at CCV Career Ladder as long as certain eligibility requirements are met.

Afterschool Professional Recognition Bonuses

Determined in coordination with VT Afterschool, Inc

A  bonus is available for staff of Vermont regulated afterschool programs that have achieved VT professional development certificates, credentials, or degrees.

VT Afterschool, Inc reviews and awards Afterschool Essentials, L.E.A.D Microcredential, Program Director Credential, and Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential bonuses. Awarded professional development certificates and credentials are sent to VTAEYC to review for bonus eligibility. The bonus is determined in coordination with VT Afterschool.

Eligibility
  • Complete the training, degree, and/or requirements for the certificate or credential within the past two years.
  • Have not received a bonus from CDD in the past for this level certificate, degree, or credential.
  • Not be on a public school teacher contract or equivalent (paraeducators are eligible for bonuses).
  • In addition, recognition bonuses are only available for the highest level for which you are qualified. If you receive two Level Certificates that qualify for a Recognition Bonus within six months, you will be eligible for a Recognition Bonus for the highest level earned.
How to Apply

To apply for a VT Afterschool professional development certificates and/or credentials, please contact the Northern Lights at CCV Resource Advisor for your area or the Program Improvement Coordinator at Vermont Afterschool.

Early Childhood Professional Recognition Bonuses

Determined in coordination with Northern Lights at CCV

A bonus for staff who achieved certificates from the Vermont Early Childhood Professional Development System, Vermont early childhood and afterschool credentials, or Vermont Agency of Education licensure.

Northern Lights at CCV reviews and awards Early Childhood Level Certificates. Awarded level certificates and related documentation are sent to VTAEYC to review for bonus eligibility. The bonus is determined in coordination with Northern Lights at CCV and the Child Development Division.

Eligibility
  • Must be employed by a Vermont regulated child care program and have worked in a direct care position with children for the previous six months.
  • Complete the training, degree, and/or requirements for the certificate or credential within the past two years.
  • Must not have already received a bonus for the Career Ladder Certificate earned in this application.
  • Not be on a public school teacher contract or equivalent (paraeducators are eligible for bonuses).
  • Recognition bonuses are only available for the highest level for which you are qualified.
  • If applicable, Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) teacher licensure must be for the first early childhood educator or early childhood special educator endorsement (not provisional or renewal).
How to Apply

Early Childhood Education
Program Grants and Bonuses

Program Accreditation Bonus Grant

Offers a financial bonus for regulated early childhood & afterschool programs that have achieved national accreditation or re-accreditation.

Helps early childhood & afterschool programs with the fees associated with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation.

NAFCC Accreditation Fee Grant

Helps regulated family child care homes with the fees associated with National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) accreditation.

STARS Level Bonuses

After your program has received a STARS (STep Ahead Recognition System) Level, VTAEYC determines your program’s eligibility for a STARS Level Bonus in coordination with the Child Development Division. Completed STARS Level documentation is automatically sent from the STARS team to VTAEYC. If you are looking for support with increasing your STARS level, please visit the SPARQS page.

For More Information:

Contact the Career Advancement Team with specific questions about any of the Professional Development Grants & Bonuses at pdsupports@vtaeyc.org or by calling (802) 234-1090, ext. 2

Contact the STARS team at STARS@vermont.gov or 1-800-649-2642 option 8.

Looking for Support to Further Your ECE Career?

Apply today for a professional development grant or bonus.