A recent report, conducted by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation with the SC Chamber of Commerce and SC Department of Social Services, reveals that child care shortages and high costs force many South Carolina parents to miss work or quit jobs — severely impacting businesses and state tax revenue.
Emerging Data: "Untapped Potential in SC" Report
$997 Million
in annual costs to South Carolina parents, businesses and taxpayers
$818M
Annual cost of child care-related employee turnover and absenteeism among SC employers
$179M
Estimated loss of South Carolina tax revenue due to child care issues
$910
Average monthly cost for parents using child care centers as one of their care arrangements
$579
Average monthly child care cost for parents (includes those with no child care costs)
4 of out 10
parents attending school or work training reported needing to make significant adjustments to their schedules due to child care issues
“Untapped Potential in SC” Report
See the full report for a comprehensive look at the impact of child care among parents, business owners and SC taxpayers.
DOWNLOADHistorical Data: Critical Gaps in Child Care
42%
South Carolinians who live in a child care desert
Source: Early Childhood Education in South Carolina 2022 Fact Sheet, First Five Years Fund
54%
Children age 3–4 not enrolled in preschool
Source: For Our Future: South Carolina’s Birth through Five Plan, SC Early Childhood Advisory Council
27%
Rising kindergarteners who achieve school readiness
Source: For Our Future: South Carolina’s Birth through Five Plan, SC Early Childhood Advisory Council
$0–10
Hourly wage for 50% of child care workers in SC
Source: Early Childhood Education in South Carolina 2022 Fact Sheet, First Five Years Fund
$11K+
Average annual cost for center-based infant care
Source: Market Rate Survey, DSS, 2021
The Return on Investment
$16+
Economic return for every $1 dollar invested in early education
Source: For Our Future: South Carolina’s Birth through Five Plan, SC Early Childhood Advisory Council