How the Plan Works

Discover how the South Carolina Childcare Initiative Plan (SCCIP) works to uplift childcare centers and empower their staff through a collaborative and supportive framework. Learn about our process, from funding to benefits, and how we're building stronger foundations for early childhood education.

The South Carolina Childcare Initiative Plan partners with childcare centers to improve quality, strengthen workforce development, and enhance early learning environments. Centers enroll in the program, complete a baseline assessment, and receive individualized support from an SCCCIP specialist. Staff gain access to professional development, coaching, and incentives designed to promote long‑term workforce stability. Throughout the year, centers receive tools, assessments, resources, and opportunities to improve childcare practices and program quality.

Joining SCCIP

To participate and offer these transformative benefits to your staff, centers must meet eligibility requirements and commit to our core principles:

Eligibility:

  • Hold an active childcare license in South Carolina.
  • Complete the online Provider Interest Form
  • Complete baseline assessment
  • Attend an SCCCIP overview meeting (virtual or in-person
  • Agree to SCCIP benefit standards.

Center commitments:

  • Implement SCCIP-approved incentives and bonuses.
  • Distribute funds according to SCCIP guidelines.
  • Maintain transparency and compliance.
  • Participate in quarterly check-ins.
  • Enroll staff into the professional development pathway.
  • Participate in reporting and evaluations.

Stronger centers. Supported staff. Shared success.

For childcare staff: Accessing your benefits

As a staff member at a participating SCCIP childcare center, you can expect consistent and valuable benefits designed to support your well-being and professional growth. SCCIP is committed to:

  • Securing and administering grant funding.
  • Providing stipends to offset costs.
  • Supplying standardized tools and templates.
  • Offering technical assistance and oversight.

Standardized staff benefits:

Each participating center agrees to offer the same core benefits, supported by SCCIP funding:

  • Attendance incentive bonuses.
  • Professional development stipends.
  • Retention bonuses (quarterly or annual).
  • Wellness and mental health supports.
  • Leadership and career pathway incentives.

Staff incentive and bonus structure:

  • Attendance incentives: Monthly or quarterly bonuses for perfect or improved attendance, with tiered rewards based on consistency.
  • Performance and excellence bonuses: Bonuses for staff who exceed job expectations, recognition for classroom excellence, teamwork, and leadership, with a peer and director nomination process.
  • Professional growth rewards: Financial incentives for completing trainings or certifications, including paid training hours or tuition reimbursement.

How SCCIP makes it happen: Funding and management

SCCIP operates on a grant-funded sustainability model to ensure these crucial benefits and support systems are consistently available. We actively seek and manage funding from various sources:

Grant-funded sustainability:

SCCIP will seek funding from:

  • Federal childcare and workforce grants.
  • State-level early childhood and workforce development grants.
  • Private foundations and philanthropic partners.
  • Corporate and community sponsors.

Use of funds:

Grant funds will be allocated to:

  • Center stipends to offset participation costs.
  • Staff bonuses and incentives.
  • Professional development and attendance rewards.
  • Administrative coordination and compliance.