The TEACH (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood® Arkansas Scholarship Program, a licensed TEACH program operated by the Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA), is a nationally recognized, evidence-based strategy designed to strengthen the early care and education workforce. Funded through an Office of Early Childhood subgrant using Arkansas’s federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) allocation, the program creates access to higher education for early childhood teachers, directors, and family child care educators.

TEACH offers comprehensive scholarships that address both the financial cost of tuition and the time required to attend school, enabling scholars to pursue credentials and degrees aligned with their professional goals. Since beginning operations in 2019, the program has been overwhelmingly supported by child care programs and educators statewide, with new scholars joining each academic term. Participants must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours per year and remain employed with their sponsoring program, helping reduce turnover and strengthen continuity of care for young children. In addition, participants in some scholarship models may elect to participate in a registered apprenticeship component, which provides structured mentoring and enhanced workforce supports.

Eligibility
Teaching staff and directors who are interested in pursuing college coursework in Early Childhood Education may apply for a TEACH scholarship if they are employed at least 30 hours per week at a licensed child care/pre-k center or family child care home. Scholarships are awarded based on professional need, commitment to the early childhood field, and availability of funds, as demonstrated through the application process.

Applicants must be willing to contribute a small portion of tuition and books, and their employer must agree to serve as a sponsoring program by also contributing a small portion of educational costs and providing paid release time for school‑related activities (with release time reimbursed by TEACH). Scholars commit to remaining employed with their sponsoring child care center or family child care home during participation in the program and for one year after completing their educational goal, helping support workforce stability.