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Quality Rating System

Providers must qualify and then complete a program evaluation to become ABC Quality rated. Learn about the review process and rating system.

A program that earns an ABC Quality rating exceeds licensing regulations for the care they provide to children. Having a letter rating — of any level — is proof a program goes above and beyond to provide the kind of care children need to thrive. Once a program has a rating, they can work toward achieving the next quality level and providing even better care.

How Programs Earn Ratings

Step 1: Meet pre-requirements.

To participate in ABC Quality, an early childhood program must be licensed or approved by DSS or exempt from licensing. Registered providers do not qualify for ABC Quality.

In addition, all staff responsible for the care and supervision of children must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold current Pediatric First Aid and Infant/Child CPR Certification.
  • Complete the 15-hour South Carolina Health and Safety Pre-Service Certificate or successfully complete the Early Child Development 101 course offered at state technical colleges.
  • Complete signed adherence to the ABC Quality Code of Ethics.
  • Follow policies and procedures that protect the health and safety of children.

Step 2: Complete program evaluation.

The strengths of a child care program are scored based on onsite observations for each age group and in both indoor and outdoor environments. How well a provider performs in the following three elements establishes the program’s level of quality:

BUSINESS PRACTICES

Does the program have policies and procedures in place that promote child well-being? Are the policies and procedures followed by staff?

INTENTIONAL TEACHING PRACTICES

Has the program provided observable experiences children have in child care in both indoor and outdoor environments? Is child care in line with ABC Quality’s age-based, child care standards?

INFANT & TODDLER PRESCHOOL SCHOOL AGE

ADULT-TO-CHILD RATIO & GROUP SIZES

Does the program meet ABC Quality’s adult to child ratios and group sizes that support child safety and promote learning?

Child's Age Adult to Child Ratio Max. Group Size
0-12 Months 1:4 8
12-24 Months 1:5 10
2-3 Years 1:7 14
3-4 Years 1:11 22
4-5 Years 1:13 26
5-6 Years 1:15 30
6-9 Years 1:18 36
9-13 Years 1:20 40

Step 3: Earn score & quality rating from ABC Quality.

How well a program exhibits its strengths during the assessment translates into a rating from A+ thru C. ABC Quality helps providers identify service areas that can be strengthened to improve their rating and offer continuous quality improvement to the program.

A plus rating A rating

Consistently and effectively promotes quality practices. Awarded the highest quality standard score.

SCORE: 86-100

B plus rating B rating

Have strategies to increase program quality. Awarded a high quality standard score.

SCORE: 71-86

C rating

Meets health and safety requirements. Quality standards exceed licensing requirements.

SCORE: 50-70

P rating

Quality score is pending. Provider meets pre-requirements and can accept child care scholarships.

E rating

Legally exempt programs serve children age 5 and up and are open less than 4 hours daily or on school holidays. If a program has both an E rating and an A/B/C quality level rating, all ABC Quality eligibility criteria have been met.

Family home and/or group home providers cannot be exempt.

Education Expectations

Explore SC’s early education standards from birth to age 5.

Early Learning Standards 

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