Four years ago, the Greenville County Child Care Initiative, comprised of a group of leaders from across Greenville County, announced their commitment to improving the quality, availability and affordability of child care for families in Greenville County.  Convened by United Way Success By 6, the Child Care Initiative includes:

Greenville County First Steps, Child Care Resource and Referral of Upstate SC, Greenville County Child Care Association, Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Greenville County Schools – Early Education and Lifelong Learning, Community Foundation of Greater Greenville, Greenville County Department of Social Services  – Child Care Licensing, SC Department of Social Services – ABC Child Care Division, Center for Child Care Career Development, SHARE Head Start, Children's Advocacy, Greenville Hospital System – Children's Hospital, Greenville Technical College – Early Education Department, Center for Developmental Services (CDS), Greenville Library System, Lapsits for Early Literacy, Strong Communities, City of Greenville, YWCA, PRIDE, and Furman University.

These partners have worked actively with the initiative to achieve an ultimate school readiness goal.  Over 85 parents, child care providers, business and agency leaders, and community volunteers worked side by side for the benefit of young children in our county. 

What was accomplished in the past year?  Download a copy of the <<2006 Status Report>>  here.  “Based on the report card data being shared today, it is evident that Greenville County is gradually appreciating the importance of a child's early years and is taking steps to improve the quality of early care and education,” said Ann Robinson, Chair of the Child Care Initiative. “We have seen great accomplishments achieved in the past year, but we have a long way to go.  Continued improvements will require continued coordination and substantial investments by businesses, families, government, and nonprofits.  Above all, we have to continue to work together to improve the quality of care and education for our youngest citizens – because they are the future of our county and country.”