Help Paying for Preschool in South Carolina (2026)
Preschool is expensive, but South Carolina families have three main ways to lower or eliminate the cost: Head Start, public pre-K, and a childcare subsidy. Here's who qualifies for each — then check your family in seconds.
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Head Start & Early Head Start in South Carolina
Head Start is free, federally funded preschool (ages 3–5; Early Head Start under 3) for families at or below the federal poverty line — about $33,000 for a family of four in South Carolina (2026) — and it's free regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. See the full income limits by household size → · Find a South Carolina program →
Public pre-K in South Carolina
South Carolina's public pre-K, CERDEP / First Steps 4K (full-day 4K), is income- or risk-based (age 4 by September 1; at-risk eligibility (free/reduced-price lunch or Medicaid)). Families under the program's income line — or who qualify on other factors (English learner, disability, foster, homeless) — can attend free. Official South Carolina program info →
Childcare subsidy in South Carolina
Separate from preschool programs, South Carolina's childcare subsidy — SC Working Families Child Care Scholarship — helps working families pay for care (infants and toddlers included, not just preschoolers), for income up to up to 85% of the state median income — measured against your state's median income, a higher ceiling than the federal poverty line. Apply or learn more →
Preschools in South Carolina
See also: when your child can start school in South Carolina · how to afford preschool · how much preschool costs.