Credentials

The Credentialing System documents completion of specific early childhood coursework. It encourages early childhood teachers to be prepared to provide nurturing, stimulating, high quality infant/toddler/preschool and school-age programs. In order to promote career development for those who educate and care for the children in our state, SC Endeavors offers three levels of credentials, with the SC Early Childhood Credential serving as the foundation for the additional levels of credentials.

How to Apply

The classes required for these credentials are offered at the sixteen technical/community colleges across the state. Individuals should contact the school to submit an application and register for the course/courses. After completion of the course/courses required for the desired credential, the individual can apply by completing a Credential Request and uploading their unofficial transcript to the Education tab of their Professional Profile in the SC Endeavors Registry. T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships may be available for individuals currently working in childcare.

Eligibility:

To be awarded a credential and the Smart Money Bonus for the Level 1 Early Childhood Credential, the courses must have been taken in 2001 or later
All courses for each credential must be completed with a “C” or better.
To be eligible for a Smart Money bonus, at least one course for each level 2 and level 3 credential must have been taken in 2012 or later with the remaining classes being taken in 2001 or later. You must also be employed with a licensed or registered child care program in South Carolina
The Level 1 Early Childhood Credential must be awarded before earning other credentials. The corresponding Level 2 Credential must have been awarded before you can earn the Level 3 credential
To receive the Smart Money Bonuses, you must be 18 years or older, an SC resident, and have your employment status verified in the SC Endeavors Registry.
If it is your first time applying for a Smart Money Bonus, you must submit a completed W-9 to scendeavors@dss.sc.gov.

Level One	The SC Early Childhood Credential	ECD 101 Introduction to Early Childhood	$200
Level One	The SC School-Age Credential	SAC 101 Best Practices in School-Age & Youth Care Skills	$200
Level Two	Infant/Toddler Credential	ECD 102 Child Development I ECD 200 Curriculum Issues in Infant/Toddler Care ECD 205 Socialization and Group Care of Infants and Toddlers	$300
Level Two	Preschool Credential	ECD 102 Child Development I ECD 105 Guidance and Classroom Management ECD 107 Exceptional Children	$300
Level Two	Director Credential	ECD 105 Guidance and Classroom Management ECD 108 Family and Community Relations ECD 109 Administration and Supervision	$300
Level Two	Special Needs Credential	ECD 102 Child Development I ECD 107 Exceptional Children ECD 132 Creative Expressions or ECD 210 Early Childhood Intervention	$300
Level Two	Family Child Care Credential	ECD 102 Child Development I ECD 135 Health, Safety, and Nutrition ECD 205 Socialization and Group Care of Infants and Toddlers	$300
Level Three	Infant/Toddler Credential	ECD 131 Language Arts ECD 207 Inclusive Care for Infants/Toddlers ECD 251 Supervised Field Experience with Infants/Toddlers or ECD 243 (with documentation of Infant/Toddler placement)	$500
Level Three	Preschool Credential	ECD 131 Language Arts ECD 132 Creative Expressions or ECD 133 Science and Math ECD 203 Child Development II	$500
Level Three	Director Credential	ECD 135 Health, Safety, and Nutrition ECD 201 Principles of Ethics and Leadership MGT 121 Small Business Operations or MGT 120 Small Business Management or MGT 101 Principles of Management	$500
Level Three	Special Needs Credential	ECD 203 Child Development II ECD 207 Inclusive Care for Infants/Toddlers ECD 260 Methods of Teaching Special Needs or ECD 259 Behavior Management or ECD 253 American Sign Language	$500
Level Three	Family Child Care Credential	ECD 108 Family and Community Relations ECD 131 Language Arts MGT 121 Small Business Operations or MGT 120 Small Business Management or MGT 101 Principles of Management	$500