Charleston County School District (CCSD) will start accepting Pre-K/Child Development (Pre-Kindergarten) applications, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs for the 2023-2024 school year on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at noon. Children who enroll in these programs attend at no cost to the family. 

In CCSD’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs, children receive services from birth to three years old. Pregnant women receive services through center-based and home-based programs. For Head Start and Early Head Start eligibility, families must meet certain guidelines, and the child must meet specific age requirements. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funds both of these programs. 

Families are asked to provide the following information to apply for Early Head Start and Head Start:

• Proof of their gross income for the past 12 months 

• Proof of the child’s age

• Proof of residency

• Up-to-date South Carolina Immunization Certificate

• Medicaid card or private insurance

• Current physical exam and current dental exam

• Proof of pregnancy (for pregnant woman applying for Early Head Start) 

Applications for Head Start and Early Head Start will be available January 24, 2023 on the CCSD website. 

CCSD’s Pre-K/Child Development programs are designed to develop skills necessary for success in Kindergarten. The curriculum is comprehensive, with a primary focus on language and literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development.

Parents can choose between two ways to apply: 

1.   Online

2.    Paper form; for a copy, call the Early Learning Department at (843) 937-7916 or email ccsdprek@charleston.k12.sc.us 

For additional information, contact the Early Learning Department at (843) 937-7914 or the Office of Communications at (843) 937-6303.