Agency: South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) – Division of Early Care and Education
Website: https://dss.sc.gov
Description: The South Carolina Department of Social Services licenses and regulates child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and school-age programs. The department provides licensing regulations, inspections, provider resources, forms, and compliance guidance.
Program: ABC Quality
Website: https://abcquality.org
Description: ABC Quality is South Carolina's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), supporting continuous quality improvement through coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and quality recognition.
Registry: South Carolina Professional Development Registry (SCPDR)
Website: https://scpdregistry.org
Description: South Carolina's professional development registry allows early childhood professionals to document education, credentials, training, and career advancement while accessing approved professional development opportunities.
Organization: South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral Network (SC CCR&R)
Website: https://sc-ccrr.org
Description: South Carolina's Child Care Resource & Referral network provides referrals, coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and business support for child care providers and families.
Organization: South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (SCAEYC)
Website: https://www.scaeyc.org
Description: Supports early childhood professionals through advocacy, conferences, networking, leadership development, and professional learning opportunities.
Organization: South Carolina Department of Education – Office of Health and Nutrition
Website: https://ed.sc.gov
Description: Administers South Carolina's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), providing reimbursement, nutrition guidance, training, and technical assistance.
Agency: South Carolina Department of Social Services
Website: https://dss.sc.gov
Description: Child care providers and employees must complete fingerprint-based criminal background checks and required child abuse and neglect registry checks before working in licensed child care settings.
Program: South Carolina First Steps 4K
Website: https://www.scfirststeps.org
Description: South Carolina's First Steps 4K Program provides high-quality, state-funded preschool opportunities for eligible four-year-old children to support school readiness.
Program: BabyNet
Website: https://msp.scdhhs.gov/babynet
Description: BabyNet provides coordinated early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities while supporting families.
Organization: South Carolina Department of Social Services
Website: https://dss.sc.gov
Description: Provides workforce initiatives, scholarships, quality improvement supports, grants, and professional development opportunities for South Carolina's early childhood professionals.
Training requirements include pediatric CPR and First Aid, health and safety, child abuse and neglect reporting, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness, and ongoing professional development. Training records are maintained through the South Carolina Professional Development Registry.
Website: https://dss.sc.gov
Description: Access licensing applications, provider forms, inspection reports, regulations, background check information, and additional child care resources.
Website: https://abcquality.org
Description: Stay informed about licensing updates, policy changes, grant opportunities, quality initiatives, professional development, and early childhood news throughout South Carolina.
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