Early Head Start
Nationally, Early Head Start programs serve over 160,000 children and pregnant women annually.
Evidence Based
Nationally, Early Head Start programs serve over 160,000 children and pregnant women annually.
Evidence Based
Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded program that provides family-centered services to infants and toddlers under age 3, pregnant women, and their families.
This map only shows programs funded by South Carolina First Steps. For more information about services available in your area, contact your local First Steps partnership.
Eligibility is generally based on family income at or below the poverty level according to guidelines established by federal government. Children in foster care, children experiencing homelessness, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are eligible regardless of income.
Families with babies and toddlers
Pregnant moms and expectant families
Early Head Start offers a range of services that can support a family’s changing needs over time. Program options include center-based and family child care, weekly home visits, and twice-monthly opportunities for group learning, discussion, and social activity.
In-home coaching with trained parent educators
Community-based workshops and classes
Learning experiences for early childhood professionals
Education and support for the whole family
EHS programs are designed to promote healthy outcomes for pregant women and newborns, support the healthy development of babies and toddlers, and foster relationships and self-sufficiency within families.
576
children served
482
families served
5
counties served
Early Care & Education
Quality EnhancementIntensive support to child care centers, Head Start and preschool classrooms to improve quality
Early Care & Education
Quality CountsQuality Counts is a community-based child care quality improvement strategy, designed to build and sustain high quality in early care and education programs.
Early Care & Education
Child Care ScholarshipsEligible children receive tuition-free enrollment at quality child care centers
Early Care & Education
Child CareProviding local families with access to high-quality early care and education.
Early Care & Education
Training and Professional DevelopmentCertified and registered training hours for the early childhood workforce
Early Care & Education
First Steps 4KFirst Steps 4K offers free, full-day four-year-old kindergarten to qualifying children in South Carolina. We partner with more than 270 licensed child care centers and private schools across the state, making it easy for families to find a high-quality program that meets their needs.
Early Care & Education
Enhanced Early EducationThe Enhanced Early Education strategy seeks to enhance education services offered by early childhood classrooms.
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