COLUMBIA, S.C.– South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued a proclamation recognizing April 4, 2023 as Palmetto Pre-K Enrollment Day. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of early childhood education and the state’s commitment to promoting reliable, safe, and high-quality early education for young children.

Palmetto Pre-K is an initiative of the South Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council, a group of state leaders and agencies that work collaboratively to serve young children and their families. The Palmetto Pre-K website, palmettoprek.org, helps families find free educational preschool programs in South Carolina, such as First Steps 4K, Head Start, public school 4K, and the Department of Social Services’ Child Care Scholarship program.

More than 1,500 schools and centers that provide publicly funded 4K across the state are invited to take part in a Facebook blitz using #palmettoprek to get the word out about the importance of preschool. Through palmettoprek.org, families can check if they’re eligible for free or lower-cost preschool, find programs that suit their needs, and apply. McMaster’s proclamation urges all families with young children to explore the pre-kindergarten programs in their area and take advantage of the resources provided by Palmetto Pre-K.

“We hope that this day will raise awareness of the importance of early childhood education and the resources available to support children’s growth and learning,” said Georgia Mjartan, executive director of the Early Childhood Advisory Council and South Carolina First Steps. “We encourage all families with young children to explore the pre-kindergarten programs available in their communities and use the resources available at palmettoprek.org.”

The South Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council is committed to ensuring that all children in South Carolina have access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs. By recognizing Palmetto Pre-K Enrollment Day, they hope to make it easier for families to find the resources they need.

ABOUT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL
South Carolina’s Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) is a collaborative body representing the state’s early childhood system. Established in law, the ECAC includes the directors of eight state agencies and government entities that provide state- and federally-funded services to young children. South Carolina First Steps coordinates the activities of the council.

Learn more at and EARLYCHILDHOODSC.ORG