about us...

The South Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Network (SC-CCR&R) is a statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the quality and availability of early care and education to all families in South Carolina.  This work is accomplished through the coordinated effort of three community-based organizations that provide child care resource and referral services to all 46 counties of South Carolina.

The primary task of the Network is to coordinate the activities and services of the three (3) child care resource and referral ("CCR&R") agencies in South Carolina to ensure a seamless service delivery system across the state.

SC-CCR&R works closely with the three local CCR&R agencies to ensure high quality service delivery and accountability. Local CCR&R agencies coordinate services within their region to ensure that services are accessible to all South Carolina families.

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) offers services to:

• help parents find child care.
  Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions families make.  CCR&R counselors help parents take the guesswork out of choosing care. They provide families with referrals to local child care providers and information on such topics as state licensing requirements and availability of child care subsidies.

• support families in their efforts to raise healthy children.
  By talking with parents one-on-one, CCR&R counselors gain an understanding of the delicate balance of family life, particularly for low-income families. They reach out to parents with trusted, local information that enables them to make informed choices.

• build the supply of child care.
  CCR&R counselors support providers by coordinating low-cost or free training in diverse topics that include health & safety, child development, and good business practices. They work with local and state governments and the private sector to leverage resources for building and maintaining the supply of quality child care.

• improve the quality of child care.
  The South Carolina CCR&R Network supports accreditation programs, financial incentives for education, and advocates for better compensation for providers both locally and statewide.

• bridge child care and education.
  CCR&R programs and services inform communities about the important links between early learning and later success in school.  They educate parents about early learning and the components of quality care.

• document child care needs and trends.
  CCR&Rs are one of the major sources of information about the local supply, quality and cost of early care and education in South Carolina. By collaborating with community partners, employers, local media, and government, CCR&Rs encourage efforts to improve and shape quality child care services. Data on child care rates, supply, demand, and demographics are readily available through the NACCRRAware database. This information is used in building and maintaining a quality system of child care options for families in communities.

• Work on the National, State, and Local Levels
  South Carolina's CCR&Rs are members of the National Association Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). NACCRRA is the national network of more than 850 CCR&Rs nationwide. NACCRRA provides leadership on such issues as CCR&R best practices, child care data, research and public policy topics.  Through our participation in NACCRRA, SC-CCR&R and local CCR&Rs can take local issues to Columbia and Washington, as well as bring national and state initiatives back to the state and local level.

• engage new partners.
  By reaching out to business leaders, school teachers, and others, CCR&R counselors help make child care an issue that the entire community cares about. They collaborate with other family support services to promote a holistic vision of child care that includes health, literacy, and special needs.