Greenville Child Care Shortage Sparks Provider Innovations

Greenville Faces Child Care Shortage as Demand Grows

Greenville is experiencing a significant shortage of child care slots, leaving many families struggling as they find themselves on long waiting lists. Local child care providers are working hard to address this rising demand. A notable example is Especially Children Child Development Center, which recently opened a second location in the city.

Founded in 2010, Especially Children CDC originally catered to 150 students but found itself with about 600 parents on its waiting list. Owner Wilatre Keenon expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “People call over and over trying to get the kids in. I just wish I could help but you can’t help everybody.”

In light of their struggles, the Keenons decided to open Especially Children CDC Too after purchasing the former Sunshine House property on White Horse Road. After extensive renovations, the new center opened its doors in late July, providing an additional 175 child care slots for the region.

Becoming a licensed child care center in South Carolina is no simple feat. Providers must adhere to rules set by the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS), including submitting plans and passing inspections. According to SC DSS, the Upstate has seen 40 new child care centers licensed in 2024 alone.

Some centers are also expanding their capacity. For instance, Brookwood Preschool Academy in Mauldin increased its capacity from 125 to 205 students. This expansion, which needed five additional classrooms and 20 more staff members, aimed to meet the growing community need.

Renee LaPierre, the center’s director, shared, “There were a lot of hoops to jump through.” The estimated cost for expanding Brookwood’s capacity was about $75,000, which included various permits and safety upgrades as required by SC DSS.

Support is available for those wishing to navigate the licensing process. The South Carolina Child Care Resource & Referral program provides advice and assistance to both new and existing child care providers. Over the past year, it has helped 267 new programs start across the state.

Meanwhile, franchise options, like The Goddard School, are also appealing to new providers. Bill Hyatt, who operates locations in Greenville and Simpsonville, highlighted the benefits of being part of a franchise, saying, “Goddard has a lot of resources.” He and his wife are set to open a new $7 million center on Pelham Road by March 2025, which will add 500 child care spots in total.

This growth in child care services comes as a response to the clear need for more slots in the Upstate, aiming to relieve stress for families and better accommodate the area’s children.