Are you a parent who’ll be sending your first child to school? Or maybe you know a parent who isn’t sure about what to do or when to get started. Answers to these frequently asked questions can help, no matter where you live in South Carolina.

When is my child required to start school?

Children who are five years old on or before September 1 must enroll in public or private kindergarten, by state law. The only exception is if the parent or guardian signs a legal waiver.

Any child who will be six years old by September 1 must be enrolled in first grade. When a child has already been enrolled in kindergarten, they do not need to register for first grade.

What about Pre-K? Who goes to that?

Any child who will be four years old by September 1 is eligible for pre-kindergarten. Most children in South Carolina qualify for state-funded four-year-old kindergarten.

For families enrolled in First Steps 4K, when one child enrolls in First Steps 4K, their siblings up to age 12 also become eligible for child care scholarships.

Palmetto PreK provides one simple form you can fill out to see if you qualify First Steps 4K, Head Start, child care scholarships, and other quality PreK options near you.

How do I register my child for public kindergarten?

Children typically attend the school closest to where they live, and parents can go to the school website or call the local elementary school to find out how to get started. Most schools use online registration, but you can also get help from schools and districts if needed.

If you’re not sure which school to contact, you can use the S.C. Education Department School Directory to find the district offices and schools in your county. You can also talk to neighbors and friends and find out where other children in your area are attending school.

What kind of information do I need when I register my child?

You will need to provide:

• Proof of your child’s age, usually by showing a certified birth certificate.
• Proof of immunization. SC DHEC provides an up-to-date a list of required school vaccines here.
• Vaccines for Children providers serve eligible children statewide, to help ensure access to routine childhood vaccines. Find a convenient provider for your family. 
• Proof of where you live, usually with two documents that have your name and address. Accepted documents could be a utility bill, a driver’s license, or a signed lease/mortgage agreement. If your family does not have a permanent address, tell the school and they will help you determine how to enroll your child.

Your school or district website will have a complete checklist of the information you need for registering your child.

When do I register my child?

Districts encourage parents to register their child starting in January of the year their child will begin school. Early registration helps districts with planning for the school year.

Of course, parents can enroll a child at any time—but there’s no reason to wait. If you have a child who needs to be register for kindergarten or Pre-K, it’s not too late.

What if I still have questions?

First 5 SC’s partners can guide you through the process.