In a recent meeting of the South Carolina Education Oversight Full Committee, significant discussions centered around the accessibility and quality of early childhood education programs, particularly for four-year-olds. The committee highlighted the urgent need to address the gap between eligible children and those actually served by startup programs, revealing that over 18,000 four-year-olds are currently unserved despite qualifying for assistance.

The data presented showed that in the 2023-2024 school year, approximately 18,004 four-year-olds participated in startup programming, with 79% enrolled in startup 4K and 21% in First Steps 4K. However, a staggering 65% of kindergarten students were identified as pupils in poverty, emphasizing the critical need for targeted support. The committee expressed concern over the 402 students on waitlists for startup programs, indicating a pressing demand for early education services.

Financially, South Carolina invested over $114 million in early childhood education for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, marking the largest investment to date. Despite this progress, the state ranks 37th nationally in financial investment for early childhood education, underscoring the need for continued improvement. The committee noted that while the number of startup programs has increased, there are still significant barriers to access, including childcare deserts and stringent quality requirements that may deter participation.

Quality measures were also a focal point, with the state meeting 7 out of 10 national benchmarks. However, the committee acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in consistent screening and referral policies across programs. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further investigate the waitlist issues and explore strategies to enhance program accessibility and quality, ensuring that more children are prepared for kindergarten.