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South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness is teaming up with child care providers statewide to provide free four year old kindergarten (4K) for the 2018-19 school year to qualifying families.

How Richland County Students Can Qualify for Free SC First Steps 4K


Your child must:

  • Be 4 years old ON or BEFORE September 1, 2018
  • Be eligible for Medicaid or the free/reduced-price lunch program details
  • Live in Richland School District 1 attendance zone

Parents must contact the child care center directly to apply for the SC First Steps 4K Program. The map below lists all of the participating centers in Richland County. Click on a map point to get address, contact information and more.

Program Options for 2018-19:
TR (Traditional Year) – 180 days/6.5 hours
ED (Extended Day)- 180 days/8.0 hours
EY (Extended Year)- 220 days/6.5 hours
ED & Y (Extended Day & Year)- 220 days/8.0 hours

For additional information on SC First Steps 4K, please visit SCFirstSteps.org/4K or call (803) 734-0758.

For additional information on the ABC child care quality system, please visit: http://scchildcare.org/departments/abc-quality.aspx