Berkeley County School District currently offers four preschool programs designed to prepare children for elementary education. Registration/enrollment for preschool programs begins March 18. 

CERDEP (SC Child Early Reading Development & Education Program)

CERDEP is a four year old income eligibility program to promote school readiness.
STATS: 21 sites, 46 classrooms, 920 students
CONTACT: Office of Federal & State Programs, 843-899-8606 
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Additional Info: CERDEP is a state-directed program available in several Berkeley County schools. As part of the Appropriations Act, the South Carolina General Assembly provides funding for students who qualify under the established income eligible guidelines. To be eligible for the program a child must be at least four years of age by September 1st (public school cutoff date) to be considered for enrollment at the beginning of the school year. Program space is limited.

Documents Needed: Child’s Birth Certificate (long form); Proof of Income (W2, 1040, TANF/SSI); 2 Proofs of Residency (Utility bill, lease, cable bill, etc…); Insurance/Medicaid Card; SNAP/WIC Documentation (if applicable); Immunization Certificate; Documentation of Private Services, or IEP/IFSP (if applicable); Determine what school district  zone you live in and contact that Elementary school to see if they have a CERDEP program. 

Online Registration will be available on March 18 at www.bcsdschools.net/registration.

Head Start

Head Start is a three and four-year-old federal grant income eligibility program to promote school readiness.
STATS: 11 sites, 35 classrooms, 617 students
CONTACT: Antoinette Jones, Head Start Director, 843-553-8783
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To be eligible for services: A child must be three or four years of age by September 1st (public school cutoff date) to be considered for enrollment at the beginning of the school year. For children who turn three years old after September 1st, the parent/guardian may apply on his/her child’s third birthday for the child to be considered for enrollment. Program space is limited.

Documents Needed: Child’s Birth Certificate (long form); Proof of Income (W2, 1040, TANF/SSI); 2 Proofs of Residency (Utility bill, lease, cable bill, etc…); Insurance/Medicaid Card; SNAP/WIC Documentation (if applicable); Immunization Certificate; Documentation of Private Services, or IEP/IFSP (if applicable) Determine what school district  zone you live in and contact that Elementary school to see if they have a Head Start program. You can search for your address and determine your attendance zone on the Berkeley Count GIS website.

Schedule an appointment to complete an application by calling - 843-553-5179 or 843-553-5039.

First Steps Parents as Teachers

This program offers a birth to five-year-old home visitation services to promote the transition to formal school and parent practices.
STATS: All BCSD areas, 75 families
Contact: Abbey Mills, Lead Parent Educator, 843-899-8560
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Child Find and Preschool Special Services

This programs offers services to identify delayed developmental learning patterns. Regularly scheduled Child Find Clinics are held monthly at each of the elementary schools in Berkeley County.
Contact: Office of Special Services, 843-899-8890
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