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
Opinion: Affordable child care is essential for South Carolina families and employers
South Carolina Daily Gazette | March 11, 2024
“Affordable child care is essential for South Carolina families and our economy, yet we are facing a major crisis.”
Child care crisis in SC, Greenville County depletes workforce, costs companies
Greenville Journal | February 27, 2025
Adults with young children rely on this resource to maintain employment. However, affordable, high-quality child care can be challenging to find.
US voters seek help with crushing child care costs
Index-Journal | oCTOBER 2, 2024
According to a recent Chamber of Commerce report, “the child care barrier” in the country has resulted in six million unemployed workers, and 1.6 million more who want jobs but have largely given up looking.
South Carolina Resources & News
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How a Lack of Affordable Child Care Impacts the Economy
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FFYF’S 2023 State Fact Sheets
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Governors Highlight Child Care As Key To Helping States Recover And Grow
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South Carolina — Federal Support for Early Learning & Care Opportunities
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FFYF Releases State Fact Sheets, Highlighting Unique Local Landscapes
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