State law says that “students may enter 5 year old kindergarten in the public schools of this State if they will attain the age of five on or before September first of the applicable school year.”

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

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

Please note: If your student attended an SDOC 4K program, your student is considered a "returning student." You will not need the items above because you provided them when you registered to attend the 4K program.

Attendance is mandatory and compulsory for five-year-olds. State law states “students may enter kindergarten in the public schools of this State if they will attain the age of five on or before September 1^st of the applicable school year or have substantially initiated a public school kindergarten program in another state that has a different attendance age requirement from South Carolina.”  However, parents may sign a waiver at their local school district office if they desire not to send their child(ren) to kindergarten.

Kindergarten Waiver

To qualify for free 4K programs, at least one of the following situations must apply:

• Family income is at or below the 100% below poverty level
• Child is eligible for Medicaid
• Child has documented developmental delays,
• Child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) requiring pre-kindergarten
• Child is placed in a foster home
• Child is homeless. 

Screenings are held each spring  in preparation for the following school year.  Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, please call 864-718-5133.   For a Spanish speaking representative, call 864-718-4938

2023 Screening Dates

Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Tuesday, March 28, 2023

All screenings are held at:

State law says that “students may enter 4 year old kindergarten in the public schools of this State if they will attain the age of four on or before September first of the applicable school year.”

Yes, it is possible to attend an SDOC 4k class on a fee-basis if the district has space available. Priority will be given to those students who are at most need but did not initially qualify for free 4K attendance.

Parents MUST bring the following items to the screening appointment:

• Legal LONG Form birth certificate
• Child’s SC DHEC immunization record
• Proof of income for both parents or child’s Medicaid card
• 2 Items that prove residency (Ex. water bill, power bill, or rental agreement)
• Legal documentation as it pertains to the child (such as custody, court, safety plans, etc.)

Eligible services may include half-day or full-day Preschool Intervention Programs (PIP) with transportation, Resource Support, Speech/Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Vision and Hearing Programs, and Autism Services

• Parents of young children (ages 2 1/2 to 4) who have concerns about their child’s development
• Parents of school-age children (ages 5 to 21) not enrolled in a public school program who suspect an educational disability
• Care providers such as health care providers, community agencies, childcare programs, and social workers with parental consent

If you suspect your child has an educational delay or disability and would like them evaluated, please contact the SDOC Child Find Coordinator at 864-718-5142 or 864-718-5133 to schedule an initial screening and to find out more about the process.

Any child, age 2 1/2 years old and older that has a suspected developmental delay or special need may be screened.

There is no cost to the family.  All screenings, assessments, evaluations, and necessary special education  are provided free of charge.

All screenings are conducted at the Child Find Office at Bountyland Education Campus in Seneca.  Initial appointments can last up to 2 hours.

Bountyland Education Campus
100 Vocational Drive
Seneca, SC 29672

Below are a few milestones that most 2-3 year old children are able to do.  If you child is not able to do these things, it is possible they may have a developmental delay.  We would encourage you to reach out to the Child Find Office if you have any questions or concerns.

• Able to speak in short phrases and sentences a stranger could understand
• Able to play with other children
• Able to feed themselves and drink from an open cup
• Able to copy lines, complete simple puzzles, and build with blocks
• Able to Match colors
• Able to name common objects around the house
• Able to listen to a book being read aloud for 5 minutes.