Early Childhood Education Program Receives SC Endeavors Grant

The College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program was awarded $22,500 from SC Endeavors to support academics, accreditation, supplies, and professional development.

SC Endeavors is the professional development system for South Carolina’s early childhood workforce. Its mission is to support the continuous growth and improvement of early education programs and professionals to create positive outcomes for young children and their families in South Carolina.

TCTC received two distributions of funds to support the ECE program.

SC Endeavors awarded the S.C. Technical College System’s Early Childhood Development programs $6,500 from the McDonald Early Education Support Fund.

This year, the Biden administration and Congress authorized additional funding to support early care and education, focusing on workforce education and compensation.

“I am pleased to announce that each South Carolina technical college will receive an additional $10,000 to focus on meeting early childhood program needs,” said Melissa G. Starker, state director, SC Endeavors.

This additional one-time distribution of $10,000 comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization fund.

TCTC also received an additional $6,000 for National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) program accreditation support.

Last year TCTC’s ECE program was among the 11 degree programs in the United States that earned renewed accreditation from the NAEYC Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.

This additional funding will support the pursuit and maintenance of the program’s accreditation and will support bringing peer groups from across the state to collaborate on accreditation goals.

“Looking at the big picture, we will use funds to support professional development opportunities within NAEYC,” said Meredith Dickens, department head for public services in the Business and Public Services Division at TCTC. ECE Program Director Kimberly Sharp and Dickens will attend the NAEYC spring conference through the Professional Learning Institute this summer.

“Attending the conference allows us to keep abreast of trends and collaborate with our peers,” said Dickens. “We return to campus with fresh ideas to support our learners in the classroom. We also are able to connect with colleagues nationwide.”

Funds supplement the professional development and growth of ECE students, as well.

Last year ECE faculty and 10 students attended the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children’s Annual Conference in Columbia. “This event allowed students and faculty to network and

Tri-County Technical College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) to share our passions for early education with like-minded peers,” said Dickens.

“These funds pay travel and conferences fees. Students said this experience was a highlight of the academic year. Conference topics reinforced material learned in class. They felt connected to the profession,” said Dickens.

Funds also can be used to purchase classroom materials and resources, she said.

“SC Endeavors is a longtime valued partner. We appreciate their commitment as a stakeholder and partner with our ECE program,” said Dickens.

“We are proud of our partnership and look forward to working with TCTC in the future,” said Starker. “Together we are improving the quality of childcare for children and families in South Carolina.”

The Early Childhood Development program is designed to prepare those entering the field of child care or those currently employed but seeking additional training. Graduates are employed as teachers in public and private early care settings, family day care homes and as teacher assistants in public schools. Many choose to continue their education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree.