The Office of Early Childhood Education strives to provide a comprehensive, community based approach to school readiness in Beaufort County through quality early childhood education, family literacy, and parent education. Through collaborative partnerships with a number of community family support agencies and child care providers, the district focuses to improve the lives of preschool age children so that they can take full advantage of educational opportunities. Early childhood programs and initiatives to improve the effectiveness of parents as the primary teachers of their children promote and encourage language, intellectual growth, and physical social-emotional skills.

Our Mission
To provide leadership and services to parents, teachers, schools, and community in the development and implementation of quality early childhood and family literacy programs that enable preschool children to enter school ready to succeed.

Child Find
The Beaufort County School District offers comprehensive developmental screenings for children ages 2 ½ - 5 years old. During each school year, parents are encouraged to take their child to neighborhood elementary schools where they can receive a speech, vision, hearing, and developmental screening. The parents of children needing early intervention programs and pre-kindergarten placement are offered programs and assistance.

Pre-kindergarten programs are available in all Beaufort County Elementary schools and Early Childhood Centers. Students are selected based on a set of criteria, which includes the DIAL 4, a standardized test. Registration and assessment occur in the Spring.

Ashley Hutchison, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education
(843) 521-2439
(843) 322-3099 fax
Ashley.Hutchison@beaufort.k12.sc.us

Mary Beth Christensen, Office Manager
(843) 521-2399
(843)322-3099 fax
MaryBeth.Christensen@beaufort.k12.sc.us