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Head Start and Early Head Start in South Carolina

198 centers in 117 cities and towns, run by 28 programs. 104 offer Early Head Start, from pregnancy to age 3, and 130offer Head Start preschool for ages 3 to 5. It's free if you qualify.

Source: Office of Head Start service locations, as of October 2026. Each program reports its own sites, so call before you visit. Closed sites are left out.

Who qualifies in South Carolina

$27,320a year or less for a family of three, or $33,000 for four. That's the 2026 federal poverty line, Head Start's income limit.

You also qualify at any income if you get TANF or SSI, your child is in foster care, or your family is homeless.

Sources: 45 CFR 1302.12; HHS poverty guidelines

Poverty guidelines for every family size

Head Start by city in South Carolina

14 cities have 3 or more centers and a page of their own, most centers first.

Where to apply in South Carolina

You apply to a program, not to one center. Each number here is the program's enrollment line: staff can tell you which of its centers have room and add you to a waiting list.

  • Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc.

    20 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (864) 233-4128

  • Pee Dee Community Action Partnership

    16 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (843) 678-3414 ext. 2130

  • South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships

    15 centers · Early Head Start

    No line reported

  • Charleston County School District Early Head Start

    13 centers · Early Head Start

    (843) 937-7914

  • Charleston County School District Head Start

    12 centers · Head Start

    (843) 937-7914

  • Berkeley County School District

    11 centers · Head Start

    (843) 899-5048

  • Gleamns Human Resource Commission, Inc.

    11 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (864) 223-8434 ext. 8811

  • OCAB Community Action Agency, Inc.

    10 centers · Head Start

    (803) 536-1027 ext. 132

  • Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council, Inc.

    9 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (843) 234-4100

  • Wateree Community Actions, Inc. Head Start Program

    9 centers · Head Start

    (803) 773-1291

  • Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission

    8 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (843) 962-4026

  • Carolina Community Actions, Inc

    7 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (803) 366-5398

  • Lowcountry Community Action Agency

    7 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (843) 835-2760 ext. 1205

  • Chesterfield-Marlboro Counties Economic Opportunity Council, Inc

    6 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (843) 320-9760

  • First Steps of Spartanburg County

    6 centers · Early Head Start

    (864) 327-4904

  • Piedmont Community Actions, Inc.

    6 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (864) 327-4533

  • South Carolina First Steps to Spartanburg County

    6 centers · Early Head Start

    (864) 327-4904 ext. 4904

  • Acelero, Inc.

    4 centers · Head Start

    (803) 640-2394

  • Wateree Community Actions, Inc. Early Head Start Program

    4 centers · Early Head Start

    (803) 773-1291

  • Darlington County Community Action Agency, Inc.

    3 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (843) 332-1135

  • Lancaster County First Steps to School Readiness Partnership

    3 centers · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (803) 286-8068

  • Richland County First Steps

    3 centers · Early Head Start

    (803) 553-1814

  • Vital Connections of the Midlands, Inc

    3 centers · Early Head Start

    (803) 394-5101

  • Wateree Community Actions, Inc.

    2 centers · Early Head Start

    (803) 773-1291

  • ISWA Development Corporation

    1 center · Early Head Start and Head Start

    (803) 817-5052

  • Lancaster County Board of Education

    1 center · Early Head Start

    (803) 283-3915

  • Lancaster Head Start

    1 center · Head Start

    (803) 283-3915

  • OCAB Denmark Early Head Start

    1 center · Early Head Start

    (803) 536-1027 ext. 132

Centers in smaller towns in South Carolina

121 centers in 103 towns with fewer than 3 centers each, A to Z.

Abbeville · 1

  • Abbeville Head Start Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 706 Carolina Cir

    (864) 459-5275

Aiken · 1

  • Aiken Early Learning Center HS

    Head Start · 203 Beaufort St NE

    (803) 393-8899

Alcolu · 2

  • Fleming/Felder Head Start / Early Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1423 Hotel Street, Post Office Box 122

    (803) 473-2767

  • Fleming/Felder Head Start / Early Head Start Center

    Early Head Start · 1423 Hotel Street, Post Office Box 122

    (803) 473-2767

Allendale · 1

Andrews · 2

Bamberg · 1

Bishopville · 2

  • Bishopville Head Start / Early Head Start Center

    Head Start · 603 N Main St

    (803) 484-5403

  • Bishopville Head Start / Early Head Start Center

    Early Head Start · 603 N Main St

    (803) 484-5403

Blackville · 1

  • Macedonia Early Learning Center HS

    Head Start · 556 Jones Bridge Rd

    (803) 884-5804

Blenheim · 1

Camden · 2

  • Kershaw County Head Start / Early Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1109 Campbell St

    (803) 432-2823

  • Kershaw County Head Start / Early Head Start Center

    Early Head Start · 1109 Campbell St

    (803) 432-2823

Charleston Afb · 2

  • Hunley Park Elementary

    Early Head Start · 1000 Michigan Ave

    (843) 767-5914

  • Hunley Park Elementary

    Head Start · 1000 Michigan Ave

    (843) 767-5914

Cheraw · 1

  • Cheraw Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1345A Dizzy Gillespie Dr

    (843) 537-5248

Chesnee · 1

Chester · 1

  • North Chester Head Start

    Early Head Start · 2135 Quinn Rd

    (803) 581-6854

Chesterfield · 1

  • Cheterfield-Ruby Head Start

    Head Start · 109 McKenzie St

    (843) 623-2072

Clemson · 1

Clinton · 1

Clover · 1

Conway · 2

Cottageville · 1

  • Cottageville Early/Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 792 Burr Hill Rd

    (843) 835-2760

Cowpens · 2

  • Cowpens Creative Kids Childcare Center

    Early Head Start · 5470 N Main St

    (864) 406-0527

  • Cowpens Creative Kids EHS-CCP

    Early Head Start · 5470 N Main St

    (864) 406-0527

Cross · 1

Dale · 1

  • James J. Davis Early Learning Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 364 Kean Neck Road

    (843) 466-3565

Darlington · 1

  • Mildred G. Burno Head Start Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 223 Law Plantation Rd

    (843) 395-8036

Dorchester · 1

Easley · 1

Eastover · 1

  • Aye's Kinderoo Care CDC

    Early Head Start · 213 Vanboklen St

    (803) 353-5299

Edgemoor · 1

Elloree · 1

Estill · 1

  • Estill Early/Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 768 First Street

    (803) 625-9681

Eutawville · 1

Fort Mill · 1

Gaffney · 2

  • Cherokee Community Learning Center Early Head Start

    Early Head Start · 243 Allison Dr

    (864) 206-7910

  • Gaffney Head Start

    Head Start · 501 W Rutledge Ave

    (864) 489-0279

Goose Creek · 1

Green Sea · 1

Greenwood · 1

  • Greenwood Head Start Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1401 Bypass 25 SE

    (864) 223-9748

Hamer · 1

  • Hamer-Canaan HS & EHS Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 428 Elkins Road

    (843) 774-7650

Hanahan · 1

Hardeeville · 1

Hartsville · 1

  • Jacquelyn James Slayton Head Start Academy

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 325 W Washington St

    (843) 332-6593

Hemingway · 1

  • Chavis Head Start/Early Head Start Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 2811 South State Hwy 41/51

    (843) 558-7307

Holly Hill · 1

  • Holly Hill Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1490 Brant Ave

    (803) 496-7333

Hollywood · 2

  • Minnie Hughes Elementary

    Head Start · 8548 Willtown Rd

    (843) 937-7914

  • Minnie Hughes Elementary

    Early Head Start · 8548 Willtown Rd

    (843) 937-7914

Honea Path · 1

  • Belton-Honea Path-Williamston Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 15 Black St

    (864) 369-1108

Hopkins · 1

  • Tender Years Child Development Center

    Early Head Start · 6862 Lower Richland Blvd

    (803) 783-5212

Huger · 1

Irmo · 1

  • Universal Steam and Leadership Academy

    Early Head Start · 220 N Royal Tower Dr

    (803) 233-9299

Johns Island · 1

Johnsonville · 1

  • Johnsonville Head Start Center

    Head Start · 158 E Marion St

    (843) 380-8408

Jonesville · 1

  • Jonesville Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 514 Alman St, Jonesville Elementary School

    (864) 674-6014

Kershaw · 1

  • Clyburn Early Childhood Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 100 S Hampton St, Ste A

    (803) 286-8068

Ladson · 2

  • Ladson Primary Head Start

    Head Start · 3321 Ladson Rd

    (843) 764-2225

  • Ladson Primary Head Start

    Early Head Start · 3321 Ladson Rd

    (843) 764-2225

Lake City · 2

  • Lake City Early Head Start Center

    Early Head Start · 112 Deep River St

    (843) 394-5466

  • LAKE CITY HS & EHS (HOME bASE)

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 209 Graham Rd

    (843) 394-5466

Lamar · 1

Lane · 1

Laurens · 1

Lexington · 1

Little Rock · 1

  • Whittaker HS & EHS Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 2326 Worship Street

    (843) 841-3116

Longs · 1

Marion · 2

  • McMILLAN HS CENTER

    Head Start · 408 McMillan St

    (843) 423-9550

  • Springville HS & EHS Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 2513 Springville Rd

    (843) 423-7593

Mayesville · 1

  • Goodwill Head Start Center

    Head Start · 225 N Brick Church Rd

    (803) 495-8466

Mc Bee · 1

Mc Clellanville · 2

  • St. James Santee Early Learning Center

    Early Head Start · 8900 N Highway 17

    (843) 887-5051

  • St. James Santee Early Learning Center

    Head Start · 8900 N Highway 17

    (843) 887-5051

Mc Coll · 1

Mc Cormick · 1

Moore · 1

  • Abundant Blessings

    Early Head Start · 1005 E Blackstock Rd

    (864) 574-0910

Mount Pleasant · 1

  • Greater Goodwill Child Development Center

    Early Head Start · 2818 N Highway 17

    (843) 884-0903

Mullins · 2

Myrtle Beach · 1

  • Myrtle Beach Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1000 Dunbar St

    (843) 839-1278

Neeses · 1

Newberry · 1

Orangeburg · 1

  • Orangeburg Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1826 Joe S. Jeffords Hwy

    (803) 585-7785

Pacolet · 1

  • Precious Little Angels

    Early Head Start · 567 Glenn Springs Rd

    (864) 474-1930

Pageland · 1

  • Pageland Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 405A S Gum St

    (843) 672-5360

Pamplico · 1

  • Pamplico HS & EHS Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 103 Hickory St

    (843) 493-0359

Paxville · 1

  • Paxville Head Start Center

    Head Start · 9137 Paxville Hwy

    (803) 473-4575

Pickens · 1

  • Reece Mill Road Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 201 Reece Mill Rd

    (864) 898-0006

Pineland · 1

  • Robertville Center

    Early Head Start · 9731 Cotton Hill Rd

    (843) 726-5636

Prosperity · 1

  • Rikard Head Start Center

    Head Start · 215 Rikard School Rd

    (803) 364-0406

Ravenel · 2

  • E.B. Ellington Head Start

    Head Start · 5540 Old Jacksonboro Rd

    (843) 889-9411

  • E.B. Ellington Head Start

    Early Head Start · 5540 Old Jacksonboro Rd

    (843) 889-9411

Ridgeland · 1

  • Ridgeland Elementary

    Head Start · 250 Jaguar Trl, Unit 103

    (843) 489-8845

Ridgeville · 1

Rock Hill · 2

  • Iswa Development Corporation Head Start

    Early Head Start and Head Start (American Indian and Alaska Native) · 1540 Tom Steven Rd

    (803) 328-2255

  • Rock Hill Head Start

    Head Start · 929 Sylvia Cir

    (803) 985-3141

Rowesville · 1

  • Bowman Head Start Center

    Head Start · 4857 Charleston Hwy

    (803) 536-1027

Ruffin · 1

Saint Helena Island · 1

  • St. Helena Early Learning Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1031 Sea Island Pkwy

    (843) 838-6854

Saint Matthews · 1

  • St. Matthews Head Start Center

    Head Start · 304 Agnes St

    (803) 874-3588

Saint Stephen · 2

  • Betty's Daycare & Preschool

    Early Head Start · 122 Elm St

    (845) 567-2624

  • St. Stephen Elementary

    Head Start · 1053 Russellville Rd

    (843) 899-5048

Saluda · 1

  • Saluda Head Start Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 117 S Bouknight Ferry Rd

    (864) 445-9009

Santee · 1

  • Santee Head Start Center

    Head Start · 180 Cantey Dr, Apt 200

    (803) 854-3897

Seneca · 1

  • Seneca Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 340 N Perkins Creek Rd

    (864) 882-6206

Simpsonville · 1

  • Golden Strip Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 1120 Howard Dr

    (864) 967-2022

Starr · 1

Timmonsville · 1

  • Timmonsville HS & EHS Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 304 Kemper St

    (843) 269-2617

Travelers Rest · 1

  • North Greenville Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 50 Lincoln Chapel Rd

    (864) 834-5241

Trenton · 1

  • Edgefield Head Start Center

    Early Head Start and Head Start · 141 S. E. Diggs Road, Trenton, South Carolina

    (803) 275-4060

Vance · 1

  • Wright Way CDC -Vance

    Early Head Start · 10432 Old Number Six Hwy

    (803) 492-7529

Varnville · 1

Wagener · 1

  • Wagener Early Learning Center HS

    Head Start · 272 Main St S

    (803) 884-5805

West Columbia · 1

  • Platt Springs Head Start Center

    Head Start · 1309 Platt Springs Rd

    (803) 794-9707

Williston · 1

  • Williston Early Learning Center HS

    Head Start · 147 Windsor Rd

    (803) 884-5807

Woodruff · 2

  • Miss Tammy's Little Learning Center EHS

    Early Head Start · 410 E Hayne St

    (864) 670-9100

  • Miss Tammy's Little Learning Center EHS

    Early Head Start · 410 E Hayne St

    (864) 670-9100

York · 1

Head Start in nearby states

Help paying for child care

Other benefits in South Carolina

Having a baby in South CarolinaBenefits, each with its source, checked October 2026Pregnancy MedicaidUp to 199% FPLWICYesPaid family leaveVoluntaryMedicaid pays for a doulaNoSee South Carolina