New SC Law Expands Access to Childcare Job Opportunities Amidst Worker Shortage
In efforts to address the current challenges facing the childcare sector in South Carolina, state leaders have endorsed a new law aimed at expanding access to job opportunities within the childcare industry. This comes as a direct response to the prevalent worker shortage that has resulted in limited openings in childcare centers and extensive waiting periods for families in need of these services.
Addressing the Childcare Industry’s Challenges
Just like many states across the nation, South Carolina has seen a significant shortfall of workers within the childcare industry, posing a severe constraint to families in need of these vital services. “South Carolina is experiencing childcare issues just like other states,” admits Connelly-Anne Ragley with the Department of Social Services. The Department was a strong advocate for the passage of the new legislation, which was proposed by Sen. Katrina Shealy to aid childcare providers.
The scarcity of workers in this sector has drastically reduced the number of children that can be enrolled in childcare centers due to legally mandated staff-to-child ratios. “These centers have issues and difficulty finding workers who are willing and able and qualified to work in childcare,” Ragley added.
Amendments to the Previous Hiring Requirements
Under the new laws, there have been several changes to the previous hiring requirements for childcare workers. The formerly mandatory requirement for childcare workers to have six months of experience in the field, or to work under the direct supervision of a more experienced coworker for this period has been removed. This had proven to be a significant hurdle for childcare centers because they often had to double or triple their staff for the first six months, confirming Ragley. Instead, the law has now reduced the period of direct supervision to 30 days.
Expansion of Educational Requirements
Additionally, there has been an expansion in the educational qualifications for childcare providers. The law now acknowledges people with a Certificate of Completion or a South Carolina High School Employability Credential, along with those with a high school diploma or GED. This amendment could particularly benefit people with disabilities who could provide a solution to fill these open critical positions.
Kimberly Tissot, the president, and CEO of Able South Carolina, a nonprofit organization that supports and advocates for South Carolinians with disabilities commended this move. In her words, “This will not only increase the employment rate for people with disabilities in South Carolina, but it will also fit the gap for the need for childcare workers.”
Impact on Training and Existing Workers
This new legislation will also enhance the training protocols for childcare providers by requiring them to complete 15 hours of health and safety training within the first 30 days of employment. Additionally, it doesn’t impose any extra requirements on the already employed workers, but only applicable for the new hires. The law also doesn’t change any prerequisites related to the background checks that potential workers must undergo.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
