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.
In the state, 64% of children have all available parents participating in the workforce, while the average cost of care is $10,474 a year (or $873 per month).
More than 17,000 children ages 5 and under have child care costs subsidized through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), or 17% of those eligible. The average copay with a CCDBG subsidy is $87 a month.
10.3K children receive care, learning, nutrition, and other services at no cost through Early Head Start/Head Start (or 8% of those eligible for Early Head Start and 20% of those eligible for Head Start).
And 102.1K working families have the cost of their child care offset through the Child + Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
However, many working parents still struggle to access affordable, quality child care, which costs the state’s economy an estimated $2.1 billion each year in lost earnings and productivity.
South Carolina: In The Headlines
Pee Dee Head Start programs help prepare children, support families
WPDE | September 1, 2026
The Pee Dee Community Action Partnership Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve families throughout Florence, Marion and Dillon counties, providing free services designed to support children and families.
In-home program helps 2,800 new SC moms and babies. Advocates want it to continue.
South Carolina Daily Gazette | October 12, 2026
Home visits can start ahead of the actual due date for mothers-to-be. The visitors help pregnant women get to doctor’s appointments, to include arranging transportation.
Opinion: ‘Let the little children come to me’: SC moms lack childcare options
South Carolina Daily Gazette | September 23, 2026
“Without subsidized care to fall back on, the mother often loses her job and with it, any stability she’s built for her family. The provider loses enrollment and may have to close her doors.”
South Carolina Resources & News
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