South Carolina CDEP (SC 4K), explained.

South Carolina's flagship state pre-K is the Child Development Education Pilot Program, almost always shortened to CDEP and informally referred to as SC 4K. Despite the word "pilot" in the name, CDEP has been operating since 2006 (a full-day, court-ordered response to the long-running Abbeville education-equity case) and now covers all 46 South Carolina counties. CDEP is free for income-eligible four-year-olds and is delivered by a mix of public school districts and approved private child development providers.

This guide explains who qualifies, how the program differs from First Steps 4K (the term you may have heard from a friend who lives in a different district), how CDEP fits into a daycare day for working families, and how to enroll for the 2026 to 2027 program year. The numbers come from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness, which together administer CDEP.

CDEP basics

CDEP funds full-day, 180-day pre-K for eligible four-year-olds. Funding comes from a state per-pupil allocation that follows the child to whichever approved provider the family chooses. Two state agencies manage delivery:

• South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) administers CDEP at public school district sites (elementary schools and district early-learning centers).
• South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness administers CDEP at approved private child development providers (licensed daycares, faith-based preschools, and Head Start grantees).

Both agencies use the same per-child rate, the same eligibility rules, and the same quality requirements. Where you enroll is a function of where the seats are: in many rural counties, the only CDEP seats are at the public school; in many urban counties, families have a choice between a school site and several private providers.

Who qualifies

A child qualifies for CDEP if all of the following are true at the time of application:

• The child is 4 years old on or before September 1 of the program year (and not yet kindergarten-eligible).
• The child lives in South Carolina.
• The family meets at least one priority criterion: household income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level (the same threshold as the free/reduced-price lunch program), Medicaid eligibility, or an identified educational need (English-language-learner status, foster care, identified developmental delay).

Districts and First Steps providers may serve income-ineligible children if seats remain after eligible children have been placed, but those slots are limited and typically prioritized last.

The school day

CDEP is a full-school-day, 180-day program. Each site must deliver at least 6.5 hours of pre-K instruction per day across the public-school calendar. Many First Steps private providers extend the day with wrap-around care that runs from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm, at the provider's published wrap-around rate, so working families can drop off and pick up around standard work hours.

Quality standards

CDEP classrooms must meet several core standards:

• A lead teacher with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or equivalent.
• A teacher's aide in each classroom.
• A maximum classroom ratio of 1 adult to 10 children and a maximum class size of 20.
• A research-based curriculum aligned to South Carolina's Early Learning Standards.
• Annual developmental and language screenings.
• A documented family engagement plan.

Public-school sites are monitored by SCDE; private sites are monitored by First Steps using the same rubric. Outcomes data is publicly reported in the annual CDEP report to the General Assembly.

The wrap-around math

How to enroll

1. Decide on a public-school site or a First Steps private provider. If you already use a licensed daycare that participates in CDEP, the simplest path is to stay there. Otherwise, the public-school site is usually the closest option.
2. Confirm eligibility. The site or district will ask for the child's birth certificate, proof of South Carolina residency, and documentation of income or priority status (pay stubs, Medicaid card, IEP, foster care letter, etc).
3. Apply. Public-school CDEP applications run through the local district's early childhood office, usually January through April for the following August. First Steps private-provider applications run through the provider directly with the same general timing.
4. Tour the site. Ask about the daily schedule, the wrap-around-care option (if applicable), the curriculum, and the kindergarten-readiness assessment used at the site.
5. Confirm placement. Sites typically confirm in May or June. Some operate waiting lists.

Common questions

Is CDEP the same as "4K"? Most South Carolina families and educators use "4K" interchangeably with CDEP for the four-year-old free pre-K program. Technically, CDEP is the official statutory program name; 4K is the colloquial term.

What if I do not qualify by income? Some districts offer tuition-based 4K at a much lower rate than private preschool. Check with your local school district's early childhood office.

What is "First Steps"? South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness is the state's birth-through-five coordinating agency. First Steps administers CDEP at private child development providers and runs several complementary programs (BabyNet, parenting support, the Countdown to Kindergarten home-visiting program).

Does CDEP guarantee kindergarten enrollment? No. Kindergarten enrollment is a separate process through your local public school district.

Where to go next

Browse our South Carolina city directories for CDEP-approved daycare details: Charleston, and the broader South Carolina state daycare guide covers ABC Quality ratings, the ABC Voucher subsidy program, and licensing in depth.

For comparison with other state pre-K programs, see our explainers on Georgia Pre-K, North Carolina NC Pre-K, and Florida VPK. For families weighing CDEP against private preschool, our Preschool vs Pre-K guide and the cost pillar cover the trade-offs. Use the cost calculator to estimate your wrap-around tuition.