South Carolina
Working families in South Carolina need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in South Carolina. But too many working families in South Carolina are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the South Carolina economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 340K children ages 5 and under in South Carolina – 64% of these children have all available parents in the workforce.
The typical annual cost of child care for an infant in South Carolina is around $9,000.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 10% of eligible families in South Carolina. (This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care.)
On average, child care providers in South Carolina earn just $27,600 a year; this can make it a challenge to recruit and retain this workforce, leading to supply issues.
South Carolina’s economy loses $1.4B annually due to child care challenges.
South Carolina: In The Headlines
Greenville’s child care crisis continues. Is home-based care the solution?
Greenville Journal | August 28, 2025
It has become an ongoing struggle for families to find reliable, affordable care for their children.
“Untapped Potential in SC” — new report highlights costly impacts of insufficient childcare
ABC 25 Columbia | August 21, 2025
Data shows the impact of parents’ decisions in the workforce costs the state’s economy just under $1 billion a year.
Opinion: Affordable child care is essential for South Carolina families and employers
South Carolina Daily Gazette | March 11, 2025
Affordable child care is essential for South Carolina families and our economy, yet we are facing a major crisis.
South Carolina Resources & News
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