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Early Childhood Education in Greenville County Schools

  • Meets children where they are and challenges them to progress
  • Offers respect for children’s abilities and differences
  • Is based on knowledge of how children learn and develop—active, engaged, meaningful; developmental sequences
  • Includes a comprehensive, “robust,” and intentional curriculum that is standards-based
  • Recognizes the importance of play as a tool for developing self-regulation as well as promoting cognition, language, and social competence skills
  • Connects and aligns with primary grade expectations
  • Provides a balance of child guided and teacher directed activities
  • Provides a balance of whole group, small group, and center-based activities
  • Provides a classroom environment that is inviting, safe, and engaging with designated areas for exploration and content integration
  • Supports child interests and individual learning needs through  intentional and varied approaches
  • Provides purposeful, systematic, ongoing assessment
  • Establishes reciprocal relationships with parents

Adapted from NAEYC

At-Risk 4K

A limited number of At-Risk 4K classrooms for children at risk for school readiness are offered. Children must be four years old on or before September 1 of the current school year to pre-register for this free program.   Children selected for At-Risk  4K programs must demonstrate academic/developmental needs and/or risk factors such as low family income and low parent education level. Visit 4K Programs for more information.

Child Development Centers

In addition to 4K and preschool special education programs in elementary schools, Greenville County Schools is proud to offer our young children and their families six Child Development Centers. The Child Development Centers provide high-quality 4K and Preschool Special Education programs, in addition to a variety of activities to involve and educate families.

Kindergarten and First Grade Registration

Children who will be five years old on or before September 1 of the current year must enroll in public or private kindergarten unless the parent or legal guardian signs a waiver (see Kindergarten Non-Attendance Form).  Any child who will be six years old on or before September 1 of the current year must enroll in first grade.

To enroll a new student in kindergarten or first grade, a parent must present the following at registration:

  • Photo ID
  • State-issued Birth Certificate
  • Signed Certificate of Immunization, Conditional Certificate of Immunization or
  • Religious Exemption Certificate (Religious Exemption Certificate provided by Health Department)
  • Two current “proof of residency” document such as a current electric bill or current mortgage/lease statement

Kindergarten and First Grade Registration Forms are found on the Parent Forms Page.

To find out where your child will attend kindergarten or first grade, Visit Find Your School or call the INFOLine at 355-3100.

Preschool Special Education

Children who are three-to five years old and experiencing significant developmental delays in cognition, communication, social-emotional, physical, and/or self-help skills may be eligible for preschool special education services based on state and federal law requirements.  For more information, visit Preschool Special Education or call the preschool special education office at 864-452-0082.

If you suspect that your preschool-aged child may be experiencing delays, view the Child Find Brochure on this page or call 864-452-0093 to schedule a screening appointment.

Early Intervention and Student Support Team

Dr. Susan Stevens, Director, Early Intervention and Student Support
slsteven@greenville.k12.sc.us | 864-355-7361


Stephanie Dozier
PreK Coordinator
sdozier@greenville.k12.sc.us
864-452-0403

Cacey Miles
Early Childhood Instructional Coach
cmiles@greenville.k12.sc.us
864-452-0422

April Roberts
CDC Principal
aroberts@greenville.k12.sc.us
864-452-0400

Dr. Ellen Hampshire
MTSS Coordinator
ehampshi@greenville.k12.sc.us
864-355-3119

Leah Gmerek
Secretary, Early Childhood & Instruction
lgmerek@greenville.k12.sc.us
864-355-7359